Play Therapy Sessions at Bewley Primary
My name is Anna Parker and I am the school’s Play Therapist. I am registered with Play Therapy UK. I work at Bewley Primary on a Thursday and Friday.
What is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is a form of children’s therapy that utilises play and creative art techniques to allow children to explore their thoughts, feelings and emotions. The Play Therapist works integratively, using a wide range of techniques and play equipment. Sessions are led by the child, which aims to enable increased self-awareness, autonomy and resilience.
Play is a primary method of children’s communication and within the security of the therapeutic relationship, they are able to make sense of difficult feelings and emotions, in a non-intrusive manner. Often, when children are struggling emotionally, there are barriers to their learning. Play Therapy can help reduce difficulties and help children to realise their full potential.
What happens in a session?
Your child will attend their Play Therapy session once a week. To build trust, consistency and continuity, the session time, day and place will be the same each week. Your child will have access to a confidential, therapeutic room. They are able to explore creative mediums and play in any way that they choose. Safe boundaries are maintained, throughout. A session is usually 40 minutes, however, this can be adjusted to meet your child’s specific needs. Sessions are usually planned for a 12 week episode and can be extended if needed. The content of sessions is confidential and will only be shared in the event of a safeguarding concern with designated safeguarding staff in school.
Your child will have access to a wide range of play and creative arts mediums which include;
- Clay/play doh
- Painting & drawing
- Construction/Legos
- Games
- Sensory/messy play
- Sand trays
- Small world figures
- Puppets
- Role play/dressing up
- Masks
- Creative Visualisations
- Therapeutic stories
Group sessions are tailored and planned to meet the specific needs of small groups of children. Children work with a range of creative mediums to express themselves, in a therapeutic and confidential environment. Sessions typically run for 6-8 weeks.
How are sessions reviewed?
There will be pre-therapy, interim, and end of therapy review meetings with parents and carers. This helps to provide background information and highlights your child’s strengths and difficulties. The therapist provides feedback on progress and ideas that may help support difficulties the child is experiencing at home.
What can parents and carers do to help while their child is receiving Play Therapy?
- Be aware that after a Play Therapy session, your child may need time and space to process any left-over feelings and emotions.
- Try to resist the urge to ask them what they did in the session-this may interrupt the natural flow of the process.
- It is helpful to share any information, through the course of the therapy, that you feel may be impacting on how your child is feeling.
Throughout the therapy, I am happy to chat to parents and carers with any questions or concerns. Please contact the school office if you would like to arrange an appointment or contact me on 07958429392.
