Child Centred Play Therapy and Creative Arts Counselling
Aims
Tool kit
Tool kit
Child centred play therapy uses the child's language of play to help them explore feelings or experiences, testing out their own limits and beliefs, in a safe space.
Play therapy is beneficial for all ages. I offer sessions with clients from 2-18 years old.
Person centred creative arts counselling uses creative arts such as painting, sand
Child centred play therapy uses the child's language of play to help them explore feelings or experiences, testing out their own limits and beliefs, in a safe space.
Play therapy is beneficial for all ages. I offer sessions with clients from 2-18 years old.
Person centred creative arts counselling uses creative arts such as painting, sand work and clay alongside more traditional talking therapy. This may be suited for older clients, up to 18 years old.
Tool kit
Tool kit
Tool kit
Child centred play therapy and creative arts counselling use a range of tools, which are carefully selected to help the therapeutic process. Play therapy tools include paint, drawing, clay, sand, puppets, role play, den building, music, dolls house, small world toys, sensory toys, games, talking, creative visualisations, therapeutic stori
Child centred play therapy and creative arts counselling use a range of tools, which are carefully selected to help the therapeutic process. Play therapy tools include paint, drawing, clay, sand, puppets, role play, den building, music, dolls house, small world toys, sensory toys, games, talking, creative visualisations, therapeutic stories and more.
Creative arts counselling uses sand, clay, paint or other creative forms alongside more directive talking therapy.
The most valuable and unique tool within both play therapy and creative arts counselling is the relationship between client and therapist.
Process
Tool kit
Process
A minimum of 12 sessions is recommended, with one session a week, lasting 40 minutes. Sessions are held at the same time and place each week, bringing a familiarity and predictability which helps the process of building a trusting relationship and a feeling of safety.
Whilst an initial 12 sessions is recommended, research suggests that the
A minimum of 12 sessions is recommended, with one session a week, lasting 40 minutes. Sessions are held at the same time and place each week, bringing a familiarity and predictability which helps the process of building a trusting relationship and a feeling of safety.
Whilst an initial 12 sessions is recommended, research suggests that the average number of sessions needed is between 30-40. Regular reviews are offered to discuss how the therapy is going and to help inform decisions and make plans.
Each child will work at their own pace, helping to make the child centred approach so powerful.
How it works.
Child centred play therapy means that the child takes the lead within their sessions, and the therapist follows that lead. Sessions are taken at the child's pace with the child choosing how to spend the time. Child centred play therapy works on the basis that the child will work on what they need to address, in the way they need to.
The therapist does not set tasks, initiate conversations to extract information or provide strategies/solutions.
Creative arts counselling is an extension of play therapy and may bring in some specific directed interventions using the creative arts such as sand, clay, painting. The sessions remain client lead.
The child or young person works through their needs and feelings at their pace and in whatever way they need to, supported all the way by the therapist.