Child Centered Play TherapyMany parents say, "My child plays all the time and has plenty of toys at home - why should they need play therapy?"  On the face of it, that may sound like a valid comment, except for the fact that children are not miniature adults and they often cannot express their concerns to adults in words. Play, then, is their most fluent language, or means of expression. What is special about play therapy is not so much the toys, although these are carefully chosen to be appropriate for self-expression. What is important then is the therapeutic relationship that is provided in the play room, one that is accepting, consistent and has limits. By definition, the play room becomes a place where a child is safe to just be. Here there is no-one telling them what to do, think or feel. Here there are no expectations to live up to. Here they can be messy, loud, “bad”, babies-whatever they need to be to work through underlying feelings. Who are helped by child-centered play therapy?Child therapy can benefit all children, but is especially helpful to children that are exhibiting aggression, acting out behavior, selective mutism, or have experienced divorce of parents, loss of a loved one/pet, trauma, abuse, disease or illness [asthma/allergies] and depression.It also assists with those having reading problems, language delays or difficulties, stuttering, social and emotional maladjustment, separation anxiety. Play therapy has been demonstrated to be effective with children of all categories, except the complete autistic and the out-of-contact schizophrenic. What is the objective of play therapy?In child-centered play therapy, no attempt is made to direct or control the child. In the process of the relationship children will work on their problems in their own way. However, one usually sees benefits in increased independence, greater self-esteem, happiness and confidence.How does it work?A course of play therapy generally takes not less than 16 weeks of 45 minute weekly sessions. In order for this to be a therapeutic process for the child, privacy is maintained. Therefore, although parental contact is maintained throughoutthe process, through email and meetings, confidentiality is maintained, just as when an adult attends psycho-therapy. During the process, each child typically moves through 4 phases, of warm-up, aggression, regression and mastery, as they deal with the issues important to them. "But if you tame me , it will be as if the sun came to shine on my life." - The Little Prince - de Saint Exupery CHILD CENTRED PLAY THERAPY Download this Article Note: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the parent handbook. Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded free directly from the Adobe website: Download Acrobat Reader FREE INTERVIEW CONTACT me now for a FREE no obligation interview! This gives me an opportunity to meet you, and allows you to learn more about the programme and whether it is right for you and your child. 
Carol Laubscher 9 Willcox Grove Naenae Lower Hutt New Zealand Ph: +64 4 567 5568 |