Play and Creative Arts Therapy
See a major change in your child
Is your child worried and anxious? Are you worried about your child or did a teacher talk with you about their concerns? Do you want to see a change?
Do you recognize this?
- Do you want to help your child but you don’t know how?
- Does your child not talk about the things that seem to bother him/her?
- Does your child’s behavior challenge you or others at times?
- Is your child shy, withdrawn or constantly looking for screen-time?
- You love your child and really want to help him or her. You just don’t know anymore how. No book or video was helpful.
- You talk with your child, start conversations, you try to tune in and understand, but you don’t get anything out of your child.
- You are worried and embarrassed about your child’s behavior. How do you deal with temper-tantrums in the supermarket or rude language directed to you at your parent’s house?
- You are tired of trying to include your child in family activities, meals and outings. Your child is glued to the screen. And doesn’t sleep well.
So if this situation continues it is likely it will have an ever greater impact on your family life, performance in school and your child’s future.
What do you choose?
Don’t wait any longer. Book a free 20 minute phone conversation now
What it is
Play and Creative Arts therapy is an evidence-based intervention specifically developed for children and young people to address difficulties children can experience.
The playroom is a safe space where children can express themselves through play and art in all it’s forms and work through problems they experience or have encountered in the past with the help of the therapist. In regular meetings with you we take stock and share our experiences and insights to create a firm base for you and your child to reconnect and make life good again.
Play and Creative Arts Therapy has been developed over the years because, unlike most adults, children often find it difficult to talk about their problems. But children play and play is their language. Children express themselves through play, learn by playfully trying things out and work through their problems in play. Play is essential for children’s physical development but also for their social and emotional development, their communication and language development, and their psychological and academic development.
Over the years many different models of play therapy have been developed. I trained with APAC, the Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy and Play Therapy Ireland in their Dublin location. I am using an integrative holistic model using both directive and non-directive approaches, taking into account the theory and practice of neuroscience, the work of Virginia Axline and others, as well as the spiritual aspect of human development. I also integrate aspects of nature-based play therapy into my sessions, bringing natural materials and metaphors from nature into the playroom.
In the playroom the child can choose from a wide range of toys, objects and arts media including:
- Art and Drawing
- Clay
- Creative visualization
- Dressing up, Drama and Role Play
- Mask making
- Movement and dance
- Music
- Puppets
- Sandplay
- Therapeutic Storytelling
Sessions are usually 45 minutes and take place weekly at the same time for a period of 3 to 6 months.
How it is structured
The first 3 to 6 sessions are used to get to know one another so the child can feel secure and safe in the presence of the play therapist. A further 6 to 9 sessions are dedicated to explore the specific issues the child is dealing with. The final sessions are focused on building resilience.
Often children have sufficiently improved after 11 sessions and the process can be concluded with a special 12th session. Play Therapy is not a quick fix though and can’t be rushed. Many children benefit from another 6 sessions, which can be arranged. Very few children need less than 12 sessions, but if that is anticipated arrangements can be made.
Even though the Play Therapy sessions are focused on the child and confidentiality is adhered to, the parent(s) have an important role to play in the process. At the start an extended consultation takes place without the child being present and a review is held after 8 to 10 sessions. Parents and children always commit to a series of 12 sessions unless otherwise agreed.
Invest in your childs wellbeing and health
Why would you do this and what is the outcome?
The complete investment for 12 sessions is €1,030
You receive:
- An initial parent consultation of 1 hour (€120)
- 12 play therapy sessions for your child including a special ending session (€840)
- A review with suggestions and further advice (€70)
- You will love your child even more. You understand him or her and know you have done the right thing.
- You have learned that a child mainly communicates through play and find that insight helps you to initiate conversations.
- You may find that your child’s behavior may be less of a challenge as both you and your child will have learned how to avoid difficult situations and how to self-regulate when a situation arises.
- Your child will have discovered that play and art are fun and will have a range of new interests away from the screen.
FAQ
Q. I don’t live near Callan or Clonmel. Are there other options?
A. Parent interviews and reviews can be conducted via Skype or phone. However, sessions with children need to be face to face.
Alternatively you could consider implementing therapeutic play interactions and I can advice you on those.
Q. My child can’t cope attending clinics and appointments.
A. The play therapy practice does not look like a clinic. It’s friendly, calm and homely. Children can be eased in with short visits prior to the actual therapy sessions.
Q. Would you do sessions at our home?
A. Yes, I can do sessions at your home if you have a suitable space, but there is an extra charge for travel time and travel costs.