Play therapy

Who is suitable for play therapy?

At HSR Psychology, play therapy may be suitable for young people from 2 years up to the age of 18. Play therapy may only be provided to young people from 14-18 years old if they have a SEND.

Play therapy may be beneficial for those who have difficulties with: 

• Overwhelming emotions
• Processing a trauma or bereavement 
• Problem-solving
• Socialising and communication e.g making friends
• Expressing thoughts and feelings verbally
• Managing emotions
• Understanding past experiences
• Viewing a situation in different ways

If you would like more information about how play therapy could benefit you or your child, then please contact us

A child during a play therapy session

What are the benefits of play therapy?

Play therapybenefits the child or young person in numerous ways, including:

• Providing an alternative way to express emotions other than through language
• Providing an outlet for overwhelming emotions
• Improved ability to manage emotions
• Improving problem-solving skills
• Improving social communication skills
• The ability to view a problem from different perspectives
• Improved creative thinking skills
• An ability to make sense of and ‘bounce-back’ from past experiences
• Improved relationships with others
• Improved sense of wellbeing

Following play therapy, recommendations for how to support the individual will be provided. Our recommendations are useful for continuing the individual’s social and emotional wellbeing.

What happens prior to play therapy?

Play therapy can be carried out once an initial discussion has taken place, please see our process below.

What happens during play therapy?

During play therapy the young person will often have the opportunity to use different toys through which they can express themselves in a non-judgemental environment. Play therapy can also involve various activities like arts, crafts, dance, and drama which are useful for self-expression. Through play therapy, trained specialist can usually understand how the individual expresses themselves non-verbally. Understanding how a child expresses themselves allows the specialist to develop useful ways to communicate with the child about their thoughts and feelings. Play therapy can be used effectively on an individual basis and in a group.

What happens after play therapy?

Following play therapy the young person will have the ability to use various outlets for their thoughts and feelings. Follow up sessions may be recommended if the child or young person begins to struggle with overwhelming emotions or social communication. Outcomes from play therapy can be provided within a meeting with us, or a written report. You will be supported throughout the intervention and at HSR Psychology we provide follow up support, should you need it.

Does play therapy come with a report?

Feedback from play therapy is available, if requested, via a written report which will highlight useful ways to facilitate the child or young person's needs. We always recommend a report following an intervention. This report details what was carried out, the impact of our intervention and any further recommendations. A report from play therapy can be used for many purposes. Some of these may be: personal use, school use, support with an application, or evidence for a different reason. Find out more about our reports.