FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is a form of therapy that helps children express thoughts, feelings, worries, and experiences through play, creativity, stories, art, and toys. Children do not always have the words to explain what they are feeling, so play gives them a natural way to communicate and process difficult experiences.
Who is Play Therapy for?
Play Therapy can support children who are experiencing emotional, behavioural, social, or family difficulties. This may include anxiety, low confidence, anger, trauma, bereavement, separation, friendship difficulties, school worries, attachment difficulties, or changes at home.
What age children can attend Play Therapy?
I work with children from age 4-13 years old.
What happens in a Play Therapy session?
Sessions usually take place in a private, child friendly space with carefully selected toys, creative materials, games, sand, figures, art materials, and other resources. The child is usually able to choose how they use the session, while the therapist supports them safely and therapeutically.
Is Play Therapy just playing?
No. Although Play Therapy may look like ordinary play, it is a structured therapeutic process led by a trained therapist. The therapist observes, responds, and supports the child’s emotional expression, understanding, and development through play.
What happens before therapy starts?
There is usually an initial consultation with parents or carers. This helps the therapist understand the child’s background, strengths, difficulties, family circumstances, school life, and what support may be needed.
Will I receive updates?
Yes. Therapists usually offer review meetings or parent consultations. These focus on general progress, themes, and ways to support the child, rather than sharing every detail of the child’s private sessions.
What can I do to support my child during therapy?
You can help by bringing your child consistently, avoiding pressure to talk about sessions, keeping routines predictable, attending parent reviews, sharing important updates with the therapist, and offering calm emotional support at home.
Why is play used instead of talking?
Children often communicate more naturally through play than through direct conversation. Play can help children express feelings and experiences that may be too confusing, painful, or difficult to explain in words.
Are parents and carers involved?
Yes. Parents and carers play an important role. There is usually an initial consultation to understand the child’s history, current concerns, family situation, school context, and goals for therapy. Review meetings may also take place during the work.
Will the therapist tell me what my child says or does?
The child’s privacy is important. The therapist will usually not share every detail of the session, as confidentiality helps the child feel safe and build trust. However, the therapist can share general themes, progress, patterns, and guidance to help parents support the child at home.
Is Play Therapy confidential?
Yes, Play Therapy is confidential. However, confidentiality has limits. If there are concerns that a child or another person may be at risk of harm, the therapist has a duty to follow safeguarding procedures
