Play With Bee

Play therapy is a form of counselling or psychotherapy specifically designed for children. Just as adults use words to communicate their thoughts and feelings, children use play. In a safe, comfortable playroom, your child will use toys, art, and games to express themselves, explore their feelings, and resolve problems they may be facing.

Play is the natural language of children. Toys are their words. Through play, children can act out inner feelings and experiences that they may not have the words to describe. A trained play therapist can understand the themes and patterns in a child's play to help them process difficult emotions, learn new coping skills, and develop healthier ways of relating to others. It allows them to confront problems in a way that feels safe and is within their control.

This is a great question. While both can use play, their goals are different. Occupational therapy (OT) often focuses on helping children improve their fine motor skills, sensory processing, and daily living skills (like getting dressed or writing). Play therapy, on the other hand, is a form of mental health counseling that focuses on a child's emotional world. The goal is to help children process feelings, heal from difficult experiences, and improve their emotional and social well-being.

Play therapy is beneficial for children facing a wide range of social, emotional, and behavioural challenges, such as anxiety, fear, shyness, sadness, and depression. It is also effective for managing behavioural issues at home or school (including aggression and tantrums), addressing traumatic experiences (like loss, abuse, or a medical event), and helping children adjust to major family changes (such as divorce, a new sibling, or a move). Furthermore, it can help children with social difficulties, low self-esteem, and attention issues like ADHD.

If you've noticed persistent changes in your child's behaviour, mood, or social interactions that concern you, play therapy might be a good option. It is suitable for children typically between the ages of 4 and 13. The best way to know for sure is to schedule an initial consultation where we can discuss your specific concerns.

Your role is crucial. The process usually begins with a parent-only session where we discuss your child's history and your goals for therapy. Throughout the process, we will have regular check-in meetings (typically every 4-6 weeks) to discuss your child's progress, themes in their play, and strategies you can use at home to support their growth. Your involvement is key to your child's success.

Your child will spend about 40-50 minutes in the playroom with the therapist. The playroom is intentionally filled with a wide variety of specially chosen toys, such as sand trays, art supplies, dolls, puppets, and building blocks. The therapist creates an accepting and non-judgmental environment, allowing your child to lead the play. The therapist might observe, comment, or participate in the play in a way that helps the child feel understood and work through their feelings.

Generally, children attend play therapy sessions on their own. This allows them to build a trusting relationship with the therapist and provides them a safe space to express themselves freely without worrying about a parent's reaction. However, in some cases, particularly with very young children or those with severe separation anxiety, we may work together to find a solution that helps your child feel comfortable. We also offer family play therapy sessions when appropriate.

Yes. What your child shares in the playroom is kept confidential to build trust, just as it is in adult therapy. However, there are important exceptions. Therapists are legally required to report any information regarding the potential harm to the child or others. While the specifics of their play are kept private, we will regularly share general themes, progress, and recommendations with you.

The duration of therapy varies for each child and depends on the specific issues they are facing. Some children may see significant improvement in 12-15 sessions, while others with more complex challenges may benefit from longer-term support. We will discuss a general timeframe after the initial assessment and continually evaluate progress together. Therapy is a process, and consistency is important for building a therapeutic relationship.

While a single session can be a helpful introduction, play therapy is most effective as an ongoing process. The first few sessions are dedicated to building a trusting relationship between your child and the therapist. Meaningful change typically occurs over time with consistent, weekly sessions. We recommend committing to an initial block of sessions to give the process a fair chance to work.

We measure efficacy in a few ways. First, we establish clear goals with you during the initial consultation. During our regular parent check-ins, we will discuss progress toward these goals. Second, you are the expert on your child. You will likely be the first to notice positive changes in their behaviour, such as fewer tantrums, less aggression, or a happier disposition. They may seem more confident, more comfortable in social situations, or better able to communicate their feelings at home.

Play Therapy International (PTI) is a leading non-profit organization focused on promoting and regulating high standards for play therapy worldwide. As the international arm of the UK's Professional Standards Authority (PSA) accredited organization, PTI ensures children have access to high-quality, ethical services. They achieve this by setting rigorous standards for training, maintaining a register of qualified play therapists, and providing professional guidance. When a therapist adheres to PTI standards, it signals they have completed accredited training and follow a strict, ethical framework.