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Play Therapy
Play Therapy is an age-appropriate form of psychotherapy that can be accessed by all, regardless of culture, verbality or stage of development. Often used with children and young persons, Play Therapy and creative modalities have been shown to benefit adolescents, adults and seniors too.
Play is the language children use to “show” what is going on inside. Harnessing the therapeutic powers of play, Play Therapy supports children to improve their emotional regulation, sense of wellbeing and social skills. This in turns empowers better choice making and behaviour management, enables positive social interaction and relationship building and allows access to learning, better social relationships.
​​For children, play speaks louder than words.
“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” – Plato
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​​Based on attachment theory and neursoscience, play therapy is an evidence-based intervention*, that achieves better outcomes for children in self regulation, confidence and academic performance.
Play therapy facilities healing, positive change and resilience.
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Find out more about 1:1 Play Therapy and Group Play Therapy.
1:1 Play Therapy
Play therapy is a form of therapy primarily used for children, although it can also benefit adolescents, adults and seniors.
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Play is used as the medium to help children process their emotions and articulate problems that they might not be able to express verbally. Research shows that the frontal cortex - the part of the brain required for reflecting on actions and feelings and putting into coherent thoughts and words - is often only fully developed in our late 20s. Children, therefore, often do not respond well to traditional talk therapies like counselling. Play Therapy differs from behavioural-based forms of interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy in its gentle approach in facilitating exploration of deeper layers of emotions, memories and experiences that might be creating patterns of responses and behaviours.
During play therapy, a trained play therapist observes and gains insights into a child's emotional states and perception of self, others and the world through their play behavior. Utilising what is presented in the room, the play therapist reflects and responds in a sensitive and non-intrusive way to allow the child to gain awareness of what they are feeling and choosing. This allows the therapist to help the child explore emotions, deal with unresolved trauma, and learn new ways of coping and choosing.
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Play Therapy is an evidenced-based intervention shown to benefit children. Positive outcomes include:
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building self esteem and sense of self
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fostering empathy and respect for others
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greater flexibility and adaptability
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improving problem solving skills
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strengthening social skills
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improving family relationships
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improving communication and use of language
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improving motor skills
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enhanced ability to access learning and improved academic performance
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Find out more about play and how and why play therapy works.
(The above links are still under construction and coming soon.)
Play therapy can support children and families facing a wide range of mild to severe challenges or trauma such as :
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Attachment issues
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Abuse
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Bereavement
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Bullying
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Change in family structure
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Communication difficulties
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Depression & Anxiety
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Developmental delays
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Illness/hospitalisation
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Neurodivergance eg ADHD, ASD, Dyslexia
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School refusal
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Selective mutism
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Social-emotional difficulties eg anger, aggression, withdrawal
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Transitions
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Trauma
and more...
Connect with us to find out how play therapy can support your child and you today.
Play Therapy for Adolescents
Adolescence can be a very difficult time to navigate. The teenage mind and body are going through immense transformation and formation. Often time, it can be hard for them to understand, much less explain, their feelings and behaviours. While traditional talk therapies might work for some teenagers, talking about their challenges and emotion directly scary, embarrassing, awkward or just very, very hard.
The teenage brain might just not be ready.
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“Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has battled with in vain” – Carl Jung
Creative Play Therapy is effective in supporting adolescents to express, explore and work through their thoughts and feelings because it: ​
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is non-confrontational
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is non-threatening
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is non-judgmental
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is non-interpretive
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engages both the mind and the body
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allows free expression to meet the teenager where they are
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taps into the non-verbal, creative, emotional side of the brain
​​Creative Play Therapy would benefit adolescents who:
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have difficulty expressing complex emotions and experiences with words
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prefer a non-directive approach that provides a safe and non-judgmental therapeutic relationship and space within which to self-express and self-explore
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would benefit from shifting away from the rational and cognitive brain to explore deeper unresolved emotions and experiences
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desire a gentler, less confrontational and often subconscious way of working through trauma
​​​Play Therapy for adolescents can support teens going through a range of transitional issues to more deep-seated challenges such as: ​
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building Identity and esteem
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stress
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peer pressure
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conflict and relating to family or peers
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bullying
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addiction and impulse control
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anxiety and depression
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self harming or suicide ideation
​This can sometimes be part of an intervention plan involving other medical professionals.
​In offering an integrated holistic play toolkit, Play Therapy allows adolescents to choose modalities which are appropriate to their own stage of development. Teenagers often gravitate towards modalities that provide exploration of Creative Expressive Arts, whilst still having access to all the "younger stuff" to work through what they need to without feeling judged or embarassed.
​Modalities in the play toolkit that often support teens include: ​
​Art
​Art supplies like paper, markers, paint, decorative materials, magazines, and recycled items provide limitless ability to create and express. From montages and painting to sculpting and forming, it allows the adolescent mind a safe non-verbal way to manifest internal abstract thoughts and emotions into concrete expressions which they can [respond to]. Art in itself can be therapeutic but when witnessed, held and utilised in a therapeutic relationship, often supports healing, emotional regulation and self realisation.
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Storytelling, writing or journalling
​Stories provide a safe detached way of approaching situations and problems. Through the use of metaphors and symbols, adolescents can experience a non-threatening way of revisiting difficult experiences and emotions, while empowering them to explore different responses and outcomes. Journalling can also be powerful tool to clarify thoughts and gain self awareness.
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Music & Movement
A powerful non-verbal ​form of creative expression, music and movement provide a channel to express and release emotions. Music give adolescents a way to explore and express their inner world through beat, rhythm, tone, volume and sound. Movement provides whole body immersion and engagement in emotional expression and release. Music & movement is a powerful way to communicate, release emotions, enhance sensory and body awareness, provide emotional regulation and enhance sense of well-being.
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Role Play
With a range of modalities such as puppets, masks, theatre and drama, adolescents can project or act out scenarios that trouble them or represent their experiences, providing insight into their world. Role playing gives opportunity to take on different roles, embody different perspectives, emotions and behaviours. It is a powerful way of building adaptability, flexibility, empathy and communication skills.
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​​Sandtray
​The use of symbols and figurines in the sandtray allow an adolescent to create scenes or worlds in the sand. These could be a conscious representation of something in their recent experience or a deeper unconscious representation of things emerging from their within. Sandtrays can help adolescents process and understand complex emotions and experiences that may be difficult to access cognitively or verbally.
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Games
​Card and board games can provide an opener to conversations. It can often provide insight into an individual's approach towards unpredictability, problem solving and choice making. Teenagers might choose to create their own games and indirectly learn goal setting, cause and effect and think through strategies in the process. Games are a natural and safe way of learning social skills, empathy and perspective taking. ​
Connect with us to find out how Creative Play Therapy can support your teenager today.
Play Therapy for Adults
Adults who have experienced trauma or poor attachment experiences often find it hard to revisit or talk through these deeply hurting and affecting issues. Play and creative expression provide a safe and creative space for adults to revisit and heal from past experiences, work through difficult and complex emotions, and develop new responses and strategies. All these is only possible in a safe, contained and supported therapeutic relationship.
​Play therapy taps into the innate capacity of play and creative expression to bring brain to an optimum state of regulation where it is able to build new neural pathways towards healing, replacing thought patterns and personal growth.
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“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” – Plato
Adults who have experienced trauma or poor attachment experiences often find it hard to revisit or talk through these deeply hurting and affecting issues. Play and creative expression provide a safe and creative space for adults to revisit and heal from past experiences, work through difficult and complex emotions, and develop new responses and strategies. All these is only possible in a safe, contained and supported therapeutic relationship.
​Play therapy taps into the innate capacity of play and creative expression to bring brain to an optimum state of regulation where it is able to build new neural pathways towards healing, replacing thought patterns and personal growth.
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We were all created to play. It is the most basic instinct to the human experience. It is just that often times, we as adults have forgotten how to play. Play therapy allows adults to reconnect with their inner child, to access and make connections between that which is conscious and subconscious, thereby enabling healing and new ways of thinking, feeling and being.
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Just as for adolescents, adults access elements of the play toolkit which they are drawn towards and comfortable with to express themselves and their inner world. It is a gentle, non-confrontational, safe way of approaching their emotions, challenges or trauma.
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Play Therapy uses several mechanisms in psychotherapy :
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Symbol and Metaphors: the adult brain can address and express deep complex inner issues non-verbally using symbols and metaphors
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Safe Distancing: use of projection allows revisiting of trauma or difficult experiences from a distance, making it less threatening or overwhelming
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Autonomy: play and creative expression provide a sense of control and ownership over one's environment and choice-making
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Mastery: non-judgmental safe space to practice and master new strategies and responses
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Different Lenses: play and creative expression allow adults to see problems and others from different perspective, empowering different responses and solutions
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Neuroplasticity: play and creative expression activates neural pathways associated with problem-solving, emotional regulation, and stress reduction
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Studies have demonstrated the positive impact of play therapy on adult populations [5]:
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A study published in the Journal of Counseling Psychology found that play therapy significantly reduced symptoms of PTSD in adult survivors of trauma.
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Research in the International Journal of Play Therapy showed that adults participating in play therapy experienced a decrease in depressive symptoms and an increase in overall life satisfaction.
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A meta-analysis of play therapy studies concluded that this approach is effective across different age groups, including adults, for a wide range of mental health concerns.
Connect with us to find out how Creative Play Therapy can support you today.
Group Play Therapy
Group play therapy brings together a specially curated group of children with similar presenting challenges.
The therapist holds a safe group space where each child feels connected and not alone in their challenges. Children work through their challenges together, while building social skills and empathy.
The common language of play is non-threatening, creative and collaborative in nature.
Play is inclusive. Play Connects.
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Children work through their challenges together, while building social skills and empathy.​​
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Group play therapy is especially beneficial for children with poor socialisation and misbehaviours in school, childcare and group contexts. This could include children with: ​
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maladjusted classroom behaviors, or
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developmental difficulties, eg. Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
A feeling of being different or not accepted can affect a child’s
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sense of self worth, and
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ability to make/keep friends.
This is turn often leads
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anxiety
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depression,
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poor concentration, and
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attention seeking behaviours
Research* has shown positive outcomes such as
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better decision making
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less anxiety, and
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reduction in antisocial behaviors.
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Through group play therapy, children can grow in their sense of self and empathy for others. These children are better adjusted emotionally and socially, more able to access academics and succeed in school.
*Allen, K., & Barber, C. (2015). Examining the use of play activities to increase appropriate classroom behaviors. International Journal of Play Therapy
Connect with us to find out how Group Play Therapy can support your child today.