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PLAY THERAPY SERVICES

As a qualified Play Therapist Katie uses an integrative holsitic approach. Creative Steps Play Therapy uses this approach with children aged 5 to 12 years on a individual basis or in small groups where requested. Several creative mediums such as sand,art, puppets, clay, music, therapeutic story telling and messy play are provided in a safe therapeutic space to start the process of self exploration and healing. 

What is Play Therapy? 

Who is Play Therapy for? 

Play therapy uses a range of play and creative art techniques to relieve chronic, mild and moderate emotional, behavioural and mental health problems often experienced by children which can deter them from reaching their full potential.

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Children like adults experience many stresses, anxieties and traumas which can affect their everyday lives and functioning. Children often struggle and don’t have the ability to verbalise or share these concerns with others. Play is to the child what verbalisation is to an adult. While creating a warm safe therapeutic environment the play therapist endeavours to meet the child at their level and communicate through this medium of play, which they know best.

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Play therapy can be non-directive where the child leads the sessions within secure boundaries or directive where the therapist leads the session. A mixture of both non-directive and directive can be applied depending on the individual child. The play therapist forms a therapeutic relationship with the child which allows him/her a chance to explore and play out his/her accumulated feelings. By playing out these feelings it allows the child to “bring them to the surface, get them out in the open, face them, learn to control them or ultimately abandon them (Axline, 1974). 

Play therapy helps children to develop coping strategies and alleviates issues such as:

  • Abuse (Emotional, Physical, Sexual)

  • Adapting to Foster Care & Adoption

  • ADHD

  • Anger

  • Attachment Issues

  • Autistic Spectrum

  • Behaviour Problems

  • Bereavement/Loss

  • Bullied/Bullies

  • Communication problems

  • Depression

  • Nightmares

  • Physical Disabilities

  • Poor School Attendance

  • Relationship Issues

  • Selective Mute

  • Separated/Divorced Parents

  • Social Exclusion

  • Trauma

  • Unauthorised Absences

  • Under Performing (Academically, Socially, Culturally)

  • Withdrawn Personality

 

Creative Steps Play Therapy also supports an extensive range of issues and challenges experienced by children in addition to the above list. All challenges, big or small, are welcomed to be explored in our Celbridge, Co.Kildare practice. 

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How will Play Therapy help?

How do we get started? 

Play therapy aims to provide emotional support for children and provide them with the tools and ability to understand and work through their emotions and to play out their problems. Play Therapy empowers the child to recognise their individuality, develop their self-confidence, self-worth and excel in their personal growth. It develops problem solving and decision making abilities. Furthermore it helps reduce anxiety and self-doubt, improve relationships and social skills. Play Therapy assists children to have a more positive outlook on life and themselves.

Firstly a parental meeting is organised in order to develop an understanding of the child and their presenting circumstances. This meeting provides the parent with an opportunity to ask any questions and become familiar with the play therapist and the process. Following on from this meeting an individual plan will be devised for the child. The plan will be child-centred and focused on play.

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Depending on the severity of the child’s issues and the diversity of children’s circumstances, the length and duration of the play therapy will vary. Initially twelve play therapy sessions are devised with a parental review after the seventh session to discuss the child’s progress and the steps for moving forward to best support the child. Each session is 50 minutes.

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