Providing Child-Centred Play Therapy for children and young people.
Our bespoke play therapy service has a range of benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, positively impacting academic performance, improving emotional regulation, enhancing social skills, and developing conflict resolution.
Ella Manning
Our play therapist, Ella, is an experienced play therapist with a strong background in child development, emotional wellbeing, and therapeutic practice. She offers a bespoke, child-centred play therapy service tailored to the individual needs of each child and young person. Ella says, “A child-centred approach meets children and young people exactly where they are, accepting them for who they are. It trusts in their inner resources and empowers them to take an active role in
their therapeutic journey, working at their own pace within a safe and supportive therapeutic environment.”
Bespoke Play Therapy Support
Play therapy is a well-recognised therapeutic approach, specifically tailored for children and young people. Play therapy harnesses the therapeutic potential of play to create a safe, supportive and non-threatening space for children and young people to explore their feelings, experiences and challenges. By engaging in play and creative activities, children and young people can express things that they may find too difficult to put into words.
Sometimes the child or young person may re-enact aspects of their life through interacting with toys and creative activities. This can feel more manageable for them as they perhaps ‘play out’ specific traumatic events or difficult experiences, which can help them to process and resolve issues, enabling healing and aiding them to develop the skills to cope.
Play therapy is child-centred, allowing the child or young person to take an active role in their therapeutic journey where the play therapist, alongside them, guides the child or young person through the process, providing support and understanding.
Play therapy has been proven to be effective in addressing a range of difficulties, including those related to: Abuse, Adoption and Fostering, Anxiety, Attachment issues, Bereavement, Bullying, Emotional and behavioural regulation difficulties, Family breakdown, Friendship difficulties, Illness, Low self-esteem, Nightmares, Physical regulation difficulties, e.g. sleeping, eating and toileting, Social withdrawal, Trauma, Failure to meet academic potential, Poor concentration.
Emotional struggles may manifest as changes in behaviour, difficulty expressing feelings, or withdrawal from social interactions. Traumatic experiences or losses may leave lasting emotional imprints that play therapy can help address. Behavioural challenges, such as aggression or anxiety, may be indications of underlying emotions that play therapy can also deal with.
However, it may not be an appropriate time to start play therapy if the child or young person is not physically and emotionally safe enough or if there are lots of ongoing changes.
In a school setting, play therapy sessions will take place once a week for 50 minutes in a designated, private and welcoming space where the child or young person feels comfortable and safe. The play therapist provides toys, art materials, sand and other creative resources to encourage emotional expression and exploration.
For involvement to be purposeful and the use of time to be efficient, our model for delivery is based on the play therapist supporting two young people per 3-hour session (equates to half-day school-commissioned time). This allows for two ‘play therapy’ sessions to be delivered (one per child), for the set-up and break-down of the equipment.
There are a range of benefits of play therapy in schools, such as:
-Improved Emotional Regulation: Play therapy helps students learn to identify and manage their emotions effectively, leading to better self-regulation and reduced disruptive behaviours.
-Enhanced Social Skills: Through play, children and young people can practice social interactions, improve communication and build essential social skills that foster positive relationships with peers and teachers.
-Academic Performance: By addressing emotional and behavioural challenges, play therapy can positively impact a student’s ability to focus, concentrate and engage in the learning process.
-Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Play therapy provides a safe space for students to release stress and anxiety, promoting a calmer and more focused learning environment.
-Conflict Resolution: Play therapy helps students develop problem-solving skills, conflict resolution strategies and healthier ways to express themselves.
At each stage of the referral process, the play therapist considers if the referral is
appropriate, liaising with their clinical supervisor. The referral process includes the following:
– A referral form is completed and returned to the play therapist.
– A parent/carers meeting (virtual/in-person) is arranged for the play therapist to learn more about the child or young person and to consider if play therapy would be an appropriate intervention. Written consent would be gained from all those who hold parental responsibility.
– A meeting (virtual/in-person) with school staff, usually the child’s class teacher, is arranged.
– An observation in the classroom, ideally observing a structured lesson and an
unstructured break time, to learn more about the child or young person’s experience in school.
– A first meeting with the therapist, child/young person, and a trusted adult, either a parent, carer or school staff, where the play therapist will explain what play therapy is, how it will work for them, answer any questions, and gain the child or young person’s assent to the play therapy sessions.
For two children/young people, this initial referral stage can take up to 9 hours (4-5 hours per child / young person), spread across three x 3-hour (half-day) sessions. The cost of this stage is £690.
Sessions will begin after the referral stage if play therapy is deemed appropriate. Then every 6 sessions, the play therapist will hold a review meeting with those involved parties (such as parents, carers, school staff and other professionals) to discuss progress and if there is a continued need for play therapy.
The duration of play therapy is based on the needs of the child/young person, and the play therapist will work closely with all involved parties (such as parents, carers, school staff and other professionals) to determine the need and the continued need for play therapy. Below is a rough guide for the potential duration of play therapy; however, it is essential to keep in mind that each case is unique, and therefore, the duration can vary.
6-12 sessions
A child or young person with no previous trauma and has highly supportive primary caregivers and a secure base. The child or young person experienced a one-off incident, which is likely to be of low perceived threat to life, but distressing enough that they would benefit from therapy. The child or young person functions well in most environments.
Example: A child or young person experiencing anxiety after starting school.
Presenting issue: The child or young person is nervous about being away from home and struggles with separation anxiety in the mornings. They might have difficulty transitioning into the school routine and have a lot of worry about social interactions.
18-24 sessions
A child or young person who has experienced trauma that is significant in nature but not enduring throughout the majority of their childhood so far. The child or young person functions in several environments but has moderate difficulties. They appear to need further support to process their past experiences. The child or young person is in a secure and safe environment and has primary caregivers who are engaged and supportive.
Example: A child or young person who has experienced a major traumatic event (car accident).
Presenting issue: While the child or young person is functioning well overall, they experience moderate distress (anxiety, flashbacks) when exposed to reminders of the trauma. The trauma occurred a couple of years ago and is not a continuous source of stress.
36 sessions to long-term intervention
A child or young person who has experienced a history of trauma, insecure attachment and/or significant loss. The child or young person is now in an environment that is at least consistent and safe enough for therapeutic work to take place, although there may be issues that require parent/carer support alongside the therapy. The child or young person displays a high level of distress or withdrawal and difficulty functioning in numerous environments. The
child or young person’s previous experiences and current engagement with the primary caregiver will likely impact the number of sessions.
Example: A child or young person recovering from trauma, such as abuse or a significant loss.
Presenting issue: The child or young person has experienced emotional, physical, or sexual abuse and struggles with feelings of fear, shame, low self-esteem, and distrust of adults.
They may have significant difficulty forming relationships, and their emotional regulation may be impaired.
How long does a session last?
Play therapy sessions will take place once a week for 50 minutes in a designated, private and welcoming space.
Is there a minimum number of sessions, and how long does play therapy typically last?
The duration of play therapy can vary, with 6-12 sessions being a short-term intervention and 36 sessions or more being a long-term intervention. Below is a rough guide for the potential duration of play therapy; however, it is essential to keep in mind that each case is unique, and therefore, the duration can vary. Click here to see Potential length of play therapy and pricing
Does the play therapist simply play with the child or young person?
Although play therapy involves unstructured play, it is far from just free play. The therapist is actively involved and comes alongside the child or young person during the sessions, observing their play and coming to understand the meaning behind the play. The play therapist learns about the child or young person’s emotional world and guides them through the process using various techniques to facilitate emotional healing and growth to help the child or young person work through their trauma, grief, anxiety or behavioural challenges.
Can teenagers benefit from play therapy?
Yes, although play therapy is primarily used with children aged between 4 and 12 years old, adolescents can also benefit from play therapy. Unlike traditional talking therapies, which adolescents may be more resistant to, the use of play and creative activities can help young people express themselves in a non-threatening manner.
Is play therapy only for children and young people with significant psychological or emotional issues?
Play therapy can also benefit children with a wide range of challenges, including everyday stressors, social difficulties and withdrawal, emotional and behavioural regulation difficulties, low self-esteem and self-worth, and developmental difficulties.
Is play therapy a quick fix or an immediate solution to emotional or behavioural problems?
No, play therapy is a process that can take time as healing and growth often require ongoing sessions to build trust, facilitate emotional processing, and address deep-rooted issues.
Ever wondered how a Play Therapist can help you and the children you support?
Well now you have the chance to find out more with a FREE 30 minute consultation with our Play Therapist, Ella.
Get in touch to find out more at ella@futuresinmind.org
Bespoke individual assessment and intervention
We can support students with a range of needs. From initial consultation, problem-solving and assessment through to intervention planning and review, we will work in partnership with you to find positive ways forward.
Bespoke intervention and support
From whole staff training to bespoke therapeutic interventions, we have developed a range of packages and support programmes to help children and young people who experience worries, stress and anxiety.
Bespoke staff training and development
From ADHD to Attachment, from Emotion Coaching to Staff Coaching, we provide training on a range of issues to support your learning and development. Every school is different which is why we create training packages bespoke to your needs.