FAQ

The process starts with a parent/carer meeting (usually online) to explore if
Play therapy is the right approach for child. The meeting will determine next steps for therapy depending on the child’s needs and  the location.

After the meeting parents need to complete  a permission form and assessment forms. 

Play  Therapy session are weekly at a consistent time, and ideally in the same room. Sessions are usually 40 minutes long.

Once therapy has started  I offer a review meeting with parents normally around session 8.  Session are confidential  but I can discuss any progress I feel has been made. From  this meeting I will advise if I feel further sessions are needed.

Play therapy can support a range of issues including…

• Anxiety/phobias

• Low self-esteem

• Bereavement/loss

• School refusal

• Emotional regulation

• Traumatic life events

• Family difficulties

• Attachment difficulties.
  If you are not sure if Play Therapy is the right approach for your child please contact me, if I do not feel it is the right approach I may be able to signpost to other approaches.

‍ Children benefit from a different approach to therapy than adults. ‍Research consistently demonstrates that play therapy is an effective therapeutic approach for children. A landmark meta-analysis of 93 controlled studies found a large overall effect size of 0.80, meaning children who received play therapy significantly outperformed those without treatment across a wide range of presenting difficulties, including anxiety, behavioural challenges, trauma, and grief (Bratton, Ray, Rhine & Jones, 2005). Crucially, these benefits were found to be unaffected by age, gender, or presenting problem. A subsequent meta-analysis focusing specifically on Child-Centred Play Therapy confirmed these positive outcomes, finding significant improvements in behaviour, relationship stress, self-efficacy, and academic performance (Lin & Bratton, 2015). Unlike talking therapies, which rely on verbal expression, play therapy works with children's natural language — play — making it a developmentally appropriate and accessible approach, particularly for children aged 3 to 12. 

A child needs to feel that what is spoken and done in a session is private. If a child feels the session is not private it can affect how they engage in the session, limiting what they are willing to do and share.

I always explain to children that they can share what they choose to with adults and friends, but I do not share unless they ask me to. However I will offer a review meeting to discuss general progress. If I have a safeguarding concerns I am obligated to act on these.

I work from my  private pratice in Cambridge near Teversham. I also work in Primary schools in the surrounding villages.

You can help by passing on as much information as possible about your child’s past and present circumstances. This will enable me to know how best to help your child. You are welcome to contact me at any time to discuss the concerns you might have for your child and to ask any questions.

Please remind your child when sessions are happening, but do not ask in depth questions, let them share what they choose to.

Although the sessions are likely to be enjoyable for the child, it is also likely that during the time with me the child will face some important issues and emotions. This may be quite unsettling for them, and it may take a while for the child to adjust.

Individual Play Therapy sessions are £50, group play therapy sessions are £60. 

I offer reduced rates to schools making multiple referrals.

If finances are a concern please don't hestitate to contact me to discuss-I will alway try and come up with a solution where possible.