All about
Play therapy
information for parents
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What is play therapy?
Play therapy is a therapeutic approach which enables children
to explore and express their feelings in order to make sense
of their life experiences.
Children learn, communicate and
explore most effectively through play. Therefore, play is an
appropriate way of encouraging children to express themselves rather than
having to put their feelings into words. This experience empowers children and
increases their self-esteem, thereby helping them manage better both at home
and at school.
Who is a play therapist?
A play therapist is a professional who has completed an intensive play therapy
training course. Play therapists are trained to use play as a way of
communicating with children and understanding their feelings, thoughts and
behaviour. Every play therapist should be supported by a qualified play therapy
supervisor who oversees their work with children.
Who can benefit from play therapy?
Play therapy is an effective intervention for children with a wide variety of
difficulties including:
Children who have emotional difficulties and may appear withdrawn, anxious or display
low self-esteem
Children who have behavioural difficulties and may struggle to manage their anger and
therefore display aggressive behaviour
Children whose emotional and behavioural difficulties make it difficult for them to
concentrate in class
Children who have difficulties making friends or who have experienced bullying
Children who have been traumatised by an event, such as witnessing domestic violence
Children who have experienced loss through bereavement
Children who are struggling to manage their parent’‛s separation or
divorce
Children who are ill or disabled or who have a parent or other family
member with an illness or disability
Children who have a parent or other family member with mental health
difficulties or an addiction
Children who have experienced abuse or neglect
Children who have been adopted or who are in foster care
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What does your child do at play
therapy?
At play therapy your child will have a chance to play with
many different toys and art materials, including toy
people, toy animals, puppets, a sandbox and paints. Your child will not be asked
to talk about his/her feelings at play therapy. Instead your child uses the play
and art materials to express their feelings and explore his/her life experiences.
The play therapist will be with your child in the playroom while he/she plays.
When will your child have to go to play therapy?
Consistency plays a very important role in the play therapy process. Therefore
your child will attend play therapy on the same day of the week and at the same
time every week. The play therapy session will last between thirty minutes and
an hour, depending on the age of your child. The length of the play therapy
intervention will depend on the needs of each child. Some children respond to a
short-term intervention (12-15 sessions) while other children benefit from a
longer-term intervention (20-30 sessions).
What is your role in the play therapy process?
Your primary role in the play therapy process is to support and
encourage your child. This includes ensuring that your child attends
play therapy consistently and feels free to express his/her feelings
freely during the play therapy process. You will meet regularly with
the play therapist to review the progress and changes that the play
therapist has noticed during your child’‛s play therapy sessions. At
these meetings the play therapist will also want to find out how your
child has been managing at home and at school during this time.
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Name:
Taryn Schneider
Qualifications:
I completed a BSc. in Occupational Therapy at the
University of Cape Town. I then completed a Masters in
Play Therapy at Roehampton University in London, United
Kingdom. My play therapy training is accredited by the
British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT).
Address:
21 Roodehek Street, Cape Town, 8001
telephone
021 462 1508
cellphone:
083 434 0126
Email:
[email protected]
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