What are the first steps?
If you are interested in learning more about Play Therapy with Beyond Play, I can offer you a free 15 minute phone call for us to discuss your child’s situation and to answer any questions you have.
You can contact me at:
Jo@BeyondPlayTherapy.co.uk
We can work together to decide a suitable time for this call.
If you are still interested in proceeding with Play Therapy, we will then arrange an assessment meeting. All being well, we will then plan a meeting with the child, preferably a parent/carer will be in attendance for this first meeting.
What do sessions look like?
Consistency is important to provide the child with a sense of security, so I aim to meet in the same location at the same time each week.
The child decides how to use the room, so some sessions focus more on arts and crafts, others prefer role play, others enjoy attacking my punch bag. Sometimes we play a game of football or hide and seek, and sometimes we quietly create a story with the sand. Often there is a mixture of many activities. We use these activities as a base to explore the child’s emotions.
I inform the child that our sessions are private, which means I will not share specific information about what they do or say, unless I am concerned for their safety. This provides the child with the security that they will not be “told off” for what they tell me. I remind them that they can tell whoever they want about what we do in our sessions, some children love to share with their families and others prefer to keep it to themselves. In review meetings, I provide parents with information regarding themes of play and general topics explored.
Children can come out of their sessions full of joy, tired from activities, or sad and quiet from heavy discussions. Our sessions are not “just play” and children can sometimes take some time to process what we have been working on. If I sense that the child is upset or angry, I will try to help them regulate before they leave the room.
Where are you based?
I am based in Southend-On-Sea, Essex.
I can work within the child’s school and am happy to travel around the local area. Most schools are accommodating of this.
When school is not an option, I book a private therapy room, either in Southend or Leigh On Sea.
How much does it cost?
15 minute call free
For a family applying for therapy who have no assistance through the local authority, my prices are:
Assessment (1 hour) £40
50 minute therapy session within a school setting (including prep time and clinical note taking) £50
50 minute therapy session within a privately hired room £60
Parent review meetings (roughly every 7 weeks) £50
Report writing (if required) £40
Prices can vary based on requirements.
How long will my child attend therapy for?
There is no definitive answer. The first few weeks are spent building a strong, safe relationship with the child, as no child will want to share their feelings with a stranger. We progress from there.
I hold a review meeting with the parent(s)/carer(s) after 7 weeks. I will not tell you specific things your child has said, but will provide themes of the sessions which will give you an insight to the work we have done. You can also tell me how things have been at home. As we proceed through the therapy journey, we will liaise at review meetings to discuss progress and, when suitable, plan the ending together.
A short intervention can be 14 therapy sessions with 2 review meetings, however, this is only suitable for low level issues. Many cases are more complex and require more sessions to see true change. Some children may become long term clients as they require further support to navigate difficult issues.
What should I tell my child about Play Therapy?
Parents/carers can explain to their children that they are going to see a play therapist who is going to help them understand difficult feelings and emotions while they paint, draw, tell stories, dress up, sing, play with sand etc. Explain that it is helpful to talk about feelings, because if they are kept inside and ignored they might cause unhappiness and confusion which can be frightening.
How can I support my child in Play Therapy?
I like to work closely with the parents/carers as we are all working towards the same goal – helping the child.
Parents can support their child by:
- Accepting change can take time
- Noticing when the child has made progress
- Reflecting their child’s feelings when they are expressed
- Not telling their child to “be good” during sessions – I want them to come as they are.
- Not asking if the child “had fun” during therapy, but allowing them to tell you as much or as little as they like
Sometimes a child’s behaviour can feel like it is getting worse while the child is learning about their big feelings and how to manage them. This will usually pass soon – continue to support your child and feel free to contact me if you have concerns.
Planning a play session at home between you and the child can be really bonding. Set aside just 15 minutes with a selection of toys/crafts and offer the child to tell you what they want to do with you. Follow their lead. This is a great tool in building a secure attachment and in promoting the child’s inner self-worth.
