"A child's play is his talk, and the toys are his words." - Ginott, 1961
Child-centred play therapy
Ages: Child-centred play therapy is often used with children between the ages of 3 and 12, although it can be adapted for adolescents.
Child-centred play therapy is an evidence-based form of Counselling that allows children to express themselves through play and work through their emotional and behavioural challenges. The approach is based on the belief that children have an innate ability to heal and grow through play, and the therapist creates a safe and nurturing environment where the child can explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The therapist follows the child's lead and provides support and guidance as needed. A wide range of issues can be addressed through therapeutic play, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, behaviour problems, ASD, ADHD, learning disabilities, among others.
Sand tray therapy
Ages: Sand tray therapy is appropriate for a wide range of ages, from children to adults.
Sand tray therapy is a highly effective method that utilises a tray filled with sand and small objects to facilitate clients in exploring and expressing their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Clients are encouraged to create scenes in the sand using the available objects, which can accurately represent their inner world and help them work through their emotions and experiences. The therapist provides assistance and guidance whenever necessary, aiding the client in making crucial connections between the sand tray and their life events.
This type of therapy can benefit individuals with difficulty verbalising their memories and emotional wounds, autistic children, depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, or those who have experienced trauma, grief, physical disabilities or learning difficulties. Sand tray therapy can also help with low self-esteem, socialisation difficulties, or problems at school.
Directive therapy
Ages: Each case will be evaluated, but in general, this type of therapy is effective for children and adolescents between the ages of 4 and 18.
Directive therapy combines child-centred play therapy techniques with a more directive approach to facilitate children's use of play and improve their emotional literacy. Many children with autism spectrum disorder struggle with advanced pretend play skills linked to language development, social interaction, and emotional regulation. The therapist focuses on pretend play during sessions, which is linked to various skills such as language development, social competence with peers, emotional regulation, and creativity. Encouraging pretend play in therapy can help children improve their language and social skills, regulate their emotions, and enhance their overall well-being.
Parent Coaching
Parent coaching is an essential part of a child's treatment plan. It offers guidance, education, and support to parents or caregivers. These sessions aim to provide parents with a comprehensive understanding of their child's emotional, behavioural, or developmental challenges and equip them with practical strategies to support their child's well-being. By promoting positive parent-child relationships and enhancing parenting confidence, these sessions play a crucial role in ensuring the success of your child's treatment plan.
The therapist can guide parents and caregivers on a variety of topics, including:
- How to respond to their child's strong emotions;
- Respectfully set boundaries;
- How to increase positive emotions and strengthen the parent-child bond;
- How to better understand their child's behaviour and the impact of their own emotions on their child; and
- How to manage their reactions to prevent negative behaviours from escalating.
As a result, parents and caregivers will be better equipped to help their child manage their emotions and behaviours, develop self-esteem, self-control, responsibility, and motivation, improve their emotional intelligence and self-awareness, and reduce feelings of anxiety, anger, sadness, and other intense emotions.
Group Therapy
Group therapy programs provide a supportive and controlled environment for children to work through their challenges as they happen. These groups are organised according to age or specific concerns and can be held at schools, community centres or clinic. Through visual expression and play, children can learn to develop and practice social skills, positive interactions with peers, and calming and relaxation strategies. The program also aims to strengthen communication skills, boost critical thinking, encourage emotional expression, build self-confidence, and cultivate collaboration among children
