Play Therapy
Play is a child’s natural medium for self-expression” - Virginia Axline
Play Therapy is a type of Counselling/Therapy for Children and Young People that uses Play, Behaviour and other Creative Processes to help with whatever difficulties and hurt they may be experiencing and feeling.
It's completely Child Led, so it's the Play in however it's form, be that with the toys, known as 'mediums' or not, that allows for exploration, expression, communication and release.
Play is one of the first things a Child ever does in their life and is their first form of expression! In connecting Play and Therapy, Children and Young people are given their own safe space to feel understood, validated, be completely themselves and speak their own language.
Being Neurodivergent myself, I feel my lived experience helps inform my understanding of Therapy and how I work. Every person and experience is different, but I feel I'm able to recognise some of the other pieces that can be there. Therefore, I approach my work with a Neuroaffirming, Trauma informed lens.
The NI Youth Wellbeing Survey showed that One in eight Children and Young people in the North of Ireland have experienced emotional difficulties.
Further to this, 12.6% of children and young people in the North experience common mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, and this is around 25% higher than in other areas of the UK.
How can Play Therapy help with this?
There are a number of reasons Play Therapy may be of benefit to a Child/Young Person and support them with areas such as:
- Bereavement/Grief
- Anxiety
- Emotionally based School Avoidance
- Anger or Aggression
- Depression
- Abuse (Emotional, Physical, Sexual, Domestic)
- Divorce or Family separation
- Self-Esteem
- Toileting or Sleep issues
- Experiences of Masking and/or Burnout
- Navigating a 'neurotypical' world
- Bullying or Friendship difficulties
- Attachment
The Play Therapy Process
Play Therapy enables "the unspoken to be heard, & the unbearable to be shared" -Dandelion Play Therapy
Non-directive, Individual 40 minute Play and Creative Arts Therapy sessions are available for Children and Young People aged 3-16 years in the safe, neuroaffirming, RuLu Play Therapy space in Conway Mill, Belfast.
Sessions are Child-Led; they are in control of sessions, while I hold the space for them to communicate, express and release in a safe way.
It is recommended that a Child/Young Person attends at least 12 Play Therapy sessions initially, however we absolutely take into account individual needs and review regularly. Sessions are usually held weekly, to allow for a sense of consistency and routine. Each session is an investment of £45.
A Parent/Carer Referral Session is booked as a time and space to discuss current circumstances and whether Play Therapy can be the best support for the Child/Young Person right now.
If you feel you would like to initially briefly discuss current circumstances and find out more info about RuLu services, a free 20 minute consultation call can be booked.