Play to Z - Play & Creative Arts Therapy

Creative Arts and Play therapy helps children aged 3 to 16 years deal with social, emotional and behavioural problems.

Play is the child’s natural medium of communication and self-expression. Much more effective than taking therapies, Play Therapy works by supporting children to help themselves. Play Therapy gives the child an opportunity to play out their feelings and problems and develop strategies and bring about positive changes.

Creative Arts and Play Therapy can help with a range of issues and has had a significant impact upon classroom behaviours, individual’s anxieties, concentration and learning outcomes. Independent research shows that between 70 and 88% of children experience a positive change from Creative Arts and Play Therapy, and improvements are also experienced in teaching and learning, as children’s readiness and ability to learn improve.

Through using a combination of non-directive and directive Theraplay approaches, it provides a confidential space and strong therapeutic alliance for alleviating emotional, behavioural and mental health problems. It is particularly effective as a tool for supporting children in care.

Most sessions are individual, but where children share the same therapeutic objective, group sessions of 2-4 children may be possible. 

Play Therapy can be effective for children and young people who:

• Find it difficult to concentrate or learn
• Are at risk from or have been excluded from school
• Have experienced trauma
• Have suffered from emotional, physical or sexual abuse
• Are in care, are adopted or fostered
• Are struggling with transitions
• Are struggling to cope with parents' separation, divorce or a new sibling
• Are suffering from anxiety, stress or phobias
• Have suffered a loss or bereavement
• Have family and attachment issues
• Are withdrawn, unhappy or lack self-esteem and resilience
• Have autistic spectrum disorders, sensory processing issues and other disabilities
• Find it difficult to make and keep friends
• Display inappropriate behaviours
• Bully others or are bullied themselves
• Have nightmares or disturbed sleep