PLAY THERAPY
WHY CHOOSE PLAY THERAPY?
- Play & Creative Art Therapy is suitable for children aged 4-13 years.
- A holistic, integrative and playful approach supports children with a wide range of emotional, social and behavioural difficulties, these include:
- Children with mental health difficulties such as generalised, separation or social anxiety. Feelings of sadness, depression and isolation.
- Children who have experienced bullying, bereavement, family illness, divorce, domestic abuse, relational trauma or other traumatic events.
- Supportive of children's neurodiversity such as ADHD, Autism and Sensory Processing difficulties.
How does it work?
- Play Therapy provides a safe space for children to begin by recognising, and then exploring their thoughts and feelings without judgement.
- Play an instinctual way in which children learn and express themselves.
- Most children and young people do not fully develop the cognitive ability to understand, verbalise and address their emotional responses until early adulthood.
- Play Therapy provides children the opportunity to develop skills in co -regulation, communication and social interaction with others.
- Children are enabled to process difficult experiences, thoughts and emotions in a meaningful way.
- During therapy sessions children select resources that are relevant to them, these include art materials, sensory activities, games, puppets and sand play.
- Supported by their therapist children can work through their problems at their own pace.
Established benefits of Play Therapy
- Reduction in external distress such as lashing out, meltdowns, swearing and other aggression.
- Reduced internal distress such as withdrawal, refusal and uncooperative behaviours, and unpleasant bodily sensations such as headaches, feeling sick or sensory intolerance.
- Increased self esteem, self acceptance and confidence.
- Increased ability to use coping strategies and communicate feelings.
- Children enjoy attending sessions "just for me".
- Parents report children are happier, more engaged and easier!
- Schools see increased self confidence in the classroom, better cooperation with teachers and more positive relationships with peers.
PLAY THERAPY UK (PTUK)
"Our vision is a world where all children enjoy a happy, safe and healthy childhood, that enables them to reach their full potential."
PLAY THERAPY SERVICES
Information for parents & Carers
- Initial consultation with parents/carers and referrer where applicable to assess a child's presenting problems and understand their current needs. During this meeting the package of support and hoped for outcomes will be established.
- 1:1 Play Therapy sessions in my private practice, sessions last 45 minutes and usually run for 12-25 weeks, sometimes longer depending on the needs of the child.
- Additional consultations, review meetings and reports are charged, see price list.
INformation for professionals
I accept referrals from Health, Social Care and Education professionals.
I am a registered provider with Devon Adoption Support Fund.
I am able to provide Play Therapy in schools in the South Hams on a FULL DAY basis.
This can include 1:1 therapy sessions and/or group therapy. As well as contribution to reviews/TAF meetings and completion of reports.
I have provided therapy in the Learning Academy Partnership, First Federation, Link Academy and Education South West primary and secondary schools.
Please use the contact form on my HOME page to discuss details further and the referral form below.
testimonials
"Michelle's play therapy sessions have supported our most vulnerable pupils. Her work with them has been transformative. She is skilled at adapting to the needs of all children, building trust and supporting children to grow in confidence and the ability to self regulate. The children she has worked with have consistently developed and maintained coping skills, better levels of empathy and better management of their emotions." Head Teacher.
"Thank you for helping me talk MY talk" Child aged 11 years.
"Michelle is utterly professional, calm, patient and totally reassuring to myself as well as my child. My child slowly became more confident and self aware, along with being able to explain feelings in greater depth. My child's support was extended as needed, and I know I can contact Michelle again in the future, she has made a massive difference in our lives." Parent.