The Playful Life: Play therapy for young children
Child-Centered Play Therapy
Child-centered play therapy places the child in the drivers seat! Children lead the direction of the play as the therapist remains attuned, supporting the child as they move through emotions, dysregulation, worries or concerns. As each session begins, the child is reminded of the 'rules' of CCPT;
" You can do and say almost anything! If there is anything you can't do,
I will let you know. Finally, you do not need to pack away! That is my
job as the therapist. "
This child-centred approach believes that, in a supportive environment, children can naturally resolve challenges. Therapists provide an accepting space for children to explore emotions and experiences through self-chosen play methods like drawing, storytelling, or role-play.
A key element is the trusting therapeutic relationship, where empathy and understanding help children feel safe and valued. Through non-directive play, children process difficult emotions and behaviours, building confidence and self-awareness.
Child-centered play therapy nurtures self-acceptance and resilience, encouraging children to embrace their authentic selves while developing emotional well-being. It offers a compassionate, empowering way to address childhood challenges and foster healing and growth in a respectful, affirming manner.
Learn To Play
Learn to Play is a directive approach to play therapy which aims to increase children's enjoyment and ability to engage in pretend play. Learn to Play is particularly created for children who show delays in pretend play skills and is a wonderful therapeutic modality for supporting children who struggle with social play.
Filial Therapy
Filial Therapy is a family-centered therapeutic approach that strengthens the parent-child bond by teaching parents to use play therapy techniques with their children. Developed by Bernard and Louise Guerney, this method empowers parents to become active participants in their child’s emotional healing and development.
At its core, Filial Therapy recognises the parent-child relationship as a powerful tool for fostering trust, understanding, and emotional growth. Parents are trained to conduct structured play sessions with their child, during which they provide empathy, acceptance, and a safe space for the child to express feelings and explore challenges. These sessions help children process emotions and experiences, while parents gain insight into their child’s needs and behaviors.
Filial Therapy also enhances parenting skills, promoting effective communication, emotional attunement, and confidence in addressing a child’s challenges. This approach is effective in improving family dynamics, strengthening connections, and supporting a child’s emotional well-being.
FEES
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Start Here
Start Here
An initial parent intake meeting in Play Therapy typically includes a conversation to understand your child's needs, a discussion about your family dynamics and concerns, and an explanation of the Play Therapy process so you know what to expect moving forward. I'm here to create a safe space where you can share openly about your child, wh
An initial parent intake meeting in Play Therapy typically includes a conversation to understand your child's needs, a discussion about your family dynamics and concerns, and an explanation of the Play Therapy process so you know what to expect moving forward. I'm here to create a safe space where you can share openly about your child, while I gather the information needed to provide the most effective support for your unique situation. Together, we'll establish goals for therapy and I'll answer any questions you might have about how Play Therapy can help your child.
$200
Check-In
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A Parent Review is a scheduled check-in session every 5-7 weeks where we discuss your child's progress in Play Therapy, share observations from therapy sessions, and explore any changes you've noticed at home or school. During these meetings, we'll reflect on treatment goals, make adjustments to our approach if needed, and celebrate the p
A Parent Review is a scheduled check-in session every 5-7 weeks where we discuss your child's progress in Play Therapy, share observations from therapy sessions, and explore any changes you've noticed at home or school. During these meetings, we'll reflect on treatment goals, make adjustments to our approach if needed, and celebrate the positive developments in your child's emotional growth and behaviour. These collaborative conversations help ensure therapy remains aligned with your family's needs while providing you with insights and strategies to support your child's ongoing development outside of our sessions.
$150
Connect
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Connect
A Play Session is a dedicated therapeutic time where your child engages with carefully selected toys and materials, allowing them to express thoughts, feelings, and experiences they might not have words for yet. During these sessions, I create a safe, accepting environment where your child leads the play while I provide attuned therapeuti
A Play Session is a dedicated therapeutic time where your child engages with carefully selected toys and materials, allowing them to express thoughts, feelings, and experiences they might not have words for yet. During these sessions, I create a safe, accepting environment where your child leads the play while I provide attuned therapeutic presence, helping them process emotions, develop coping skills, and build resilience through the natural language of play. These child-centered sessions typically last 50 minutes plus time for set up and pack up, and serve as the heart of Play Therapy, where healing and growth happen through what looks like "just playing" but is actually profound therapeutic work tailored to your child's unique needs.
$185