What's the difference between play in the play room and play at home if its non-directive?
When your child comes to play therapy, they can focus without distractions from home, like siblings, sharing, or embarrassment. We create a safe, trusting environment with unconditional positive regard, building a strong therapeutic relationship. Our Play Therapists use tracking to stay engaged with your child during play, and our carefully selected toys help them express feelings and work through challenges. We look for recurring play themes to gauge progress and reduce challenging behaviors.
How regular are sessions?
Research has shown that weekly sessions are most beneficial for children. For a more intensive therapy approach, multiple sessions a week can be considered based on the child's needs. Fortnightly sessions are an option, but it's important to note that progress in therapy is typically slower with this frequency.
Can my child do fortnightly sessions?
Because Child Centered Play Therapy is reliant on a strong therapeutic relationship, sessions are required to be weekly, so I can build a good rapport with your child as quickly as possible. If sessions are fortnightly this will slow down the process significantly as research shows weekly is what makes CCPT effective.
How long is a typical therapeutic journey for a child?
Based on the current evidence we have regarding Play Therapy, it seems that the majority of children progress through the four stages of their therapeutic journey in about six to eight months, provided they attend most or all of their sessions. However, some children, depending on their experiences and willingness to engage, may reach the fourth stage of mastery in as little as three months. The timeframe is also influenced by whether a child is involved in intensive therapy (2-3 sessions a week) or the standard one session per week.
Why aren't parents/carers allowed in the play room?
Because we are planning for child centered play therapy, and not child parent relationship therapy, the process is grounded in a strong therapeutic relationship between your child and me. Child parent relationship therapy is a fantastic program to engage in after child centered play therapy, would you like me to register your interest for a group when one is running? When parents are in the room this often slows down the process because they will be focusing on engaging with you, they might be testing limits more than usual to evoke a response from you or change their play to avoid uncomfortable feelings. If your child is anxious about coming in to the room on their own, I will support them to feel more comfortable and sometimes this means we will need you to stay until they are ready to let you wait outside. Sometimes play therapy is a hard for children, and that’s what I’m here for- to help them cope with the hard stuff! So, please feel confident that I will support your child with this and I am always open to your feedback on how you think your child is coping without you as you know your child best. Separating from you confidently is also part of the therapeutic process as this will help them with transitions outside of therapy. Look at this as a chance for you to take a break, you spend so much time on your child/ren so use this time to recharge your batteries- have a coffee, read a book or just take some time out.
Can I leave the building when my child is in session?
Certainly, while you are welcome to leave during sessions, we suggest having a few initial sessions to ensure your child's comfort and to avoid the need for sessions to end prematurely. To ensure your child's safety, please make sure all parent contact information is up to date, and kindly disclose any medical conditions, along with providing medical plans before the child's therapy begins.
How often will I receive feedback about my child?
Typically, a parent/guardian consultation is scheduled with the child's therapist every six weeks. However, the frequency of these consultations can vary based on the child's needs and the parent's preferences, and they can be conducted either in person or over the phone/zoom. We kindly advise parents/guardians not to inquire about their child's sessions in their presence or ask leading questions following therapy. This is to safeguard their confidentiality, preserve their sense of self, and foster trust in the process. Our aim is to prevent the child from feeling pressured to respond in a particular way afterward or worrying about their therapy disclosures.