Play-based counselling
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This is a creative form of counselling that is ideally suited for children who might be struggling with how they are feeling, their friendships or education. Most of the time, children can work things out for themselves or with the help of their family and friends. But sometimes, things feel more difficult, and they might want to see someone who is trained to help, like a counsellor. Because the counsellor is not involved in the child’s life, it can be easier to open up to them.
Who goes to play-based counselling? Children experience many of life’s issues and difficulties that adults do, such as loss, bereavement, family breakup or problems with friendships or at school. Sometimes this all feels too much and when this happens, families might seek the support of a counsellor. This is common and is doesn’t mean there is something wrong with the child or the family. Although I will always get the consent of the parent or carer, a child cannot be forced to attend the sessions and if they are not comfortable then the work will not take place. |
How can play-based counselling help?
Play is the first and natural way for children to express themselves and learn about the world. For young children, understanding how they feel and verbalising it, can be impossible, whereas using play can be a more readily available. I am an experienced counsellor and have worked with children and their families for many years and I can support the child to make sense of what is happening and maybe come up with new ways of dealing with it.
What happens in play-based counselling?
My approach is child-centred and non-directive; this means that I leave it up to the child how they want to spend the sessions. I will usually start with a check-in to see how they are doing but it’s up to the child if they want to play or talk or create something. The sessions are usually 45 minutes long but can be adapted to the need of the child.
Play-based counselling is time-limited and will come to an end at some point. This is ideally a decision between the child, adult and me and we will take some sessions to do the ending.
Who needs to know?
Play-based counselling is a confidential activity, which means that I don’t normally talk to anybody about the sessions, apart from my supervisor. However, with children under the age of 18, I will follow guidelines on child protection and might need to tell someone if I’m worried about the child’s safety and wellbeing. I will explain this further in our first session.
I will need the consent of the parent or carer and will want to speak to them to understand the child better. In my experience play-based counselling works much better if I have a good working relationship with the parent or carer. They can also be involved in regular reviews of the work.
What next?
If you think that your child would benefit from play-based counselling, then get in touch via email or the contact form. I will get in touch to have a chat (on the phone or Teams) to get to know each other a bit and you can decide if you want to work with me. I will then arrange to meet you and your child in the therapy space so we can get to know each other, and I get a better understanding of how I might work with you and your child. At the end of this session, we can decide whether to go ahead and plan more sessions.
Play is the first and natural way for children to express themselves and learn about the world. For young children, understanding how they feel and verbalising it, can be impossible, whereas using play can be a more readily available. I am an experienced counsellor and have worked with children and their families for many years and I can support the child to make sense of what is happening and maybe come up with new ways of dealing with it.
What happens in play-based counselling?
My approach is child-centred and non-directive; this means that I leave it up to the child how they want to spend the sessions. I will usually start with a check-in to see how they are doing but it’s up to the child if they want to play or talk or create something. The sessions are usually 45 minutes long but can be adapted to the need of the child.
Play-based counselling is time-limited and will come to an end at some point. This is ideally a decision between the child, adult and me and we will take some sessions to do the ending.
Who needs to know?
Play-based counselling is a confidential activity, which means that I don’t normally talk to anybody about the sessions, apart from my supervisor. However, with children under the age of 18, I will follow guidelines on child protection and might need to tell someone if I’m worried about the child’s safety and wellbeing. I will explain this further in our first session.
I will need the consent of the parent or carer and will want to speak to them to understand the child better. In my experience play-based counselling works much better if I have a good working relationship with the parent or carer. They can also be involved in regular reviews of the work.
What next?
If you think that your child would benefit from play-based counselling, then get in touch via email or the contact form. I will get in touch to have a chat (on the phone or Teams) to get to know each other a bit and you can decide if you want to work with me. I will then arrange to meet you and your child in the therapy space so we can get to know each other, and I get a better understanding of how I might work with you and your child. At the end of this session, we can decide whether to go ahead and plan more sessions.