Play Therapy

Play Therapy is an evidence-based, best-practice therapeutic modality which meets children right where they’re at developmentally. It is able to help children who are experiencing any of a wide range emotional and behavioural problems, gently and respectfully helping them to move forward.  Although Play Therapy is especially designed for working with children, particularly those between the ages of about three to about twelve, many of its values and techniques, and the materials it uses – like art and storytelling – can connect powerfully with teenagers and adults as well (but with bigger people, you’d call it Expressive Arts Therapy). We are confident that the way we work at Phoenix Play Therapy and Counselling is wonderfully set up to facilitate deep and lasting change across the lifespan.

Therapeutic Play, or Play Therapy, can help children to help themselves through their behavioural and emotional problems. This approach to therapy allows a child to use their natural form of communication – play – in order to gain a therapeutic outcome.  It allows them to “play out” their feelings and problems, in the same way that an adult might be able to talk it out (or write or draw it out).  We firmly believe that every child has an inner drive to total wellbeing and flourishing.  In Play Therapy, the child leads the way, and the therapist supports the process, each step of the way.

We are also passionate about equipping parents and caregivers with information and strategies, to help you understand what’s going on for your small person, and how to support them outside of the therapy room.  This might take the form of periodic parent sessions, or short check-ins at the end of your child’s sessions.

Play Therapy can help with a wide range of problems, difficulties, and adverse experiences, such as:

Anxiety, Bereavement/Loss, Separation/Divorce, Behavioural Issues, Emotional Regulation Issues, Trauma, Abuse, Nightmares, Delayed Development, Social Skills issues, Bullying

For more information on Play Therapy see our Resources page. If you’d like to talk to someone in person about whether Play Therapy is right for your child, or make an appointment, you can get in contact at our contact page.