Children may benefit from play therapy when they are experiencing:

• Big or difficult feelings

• Anxiety, worries or fears

• Changes at home or school - including transitioning into a new grade

• Transition

• Family separation or divorce

• Friendship or social difficulties

• Low confidence or self-esteem

• Anger or difficulty managing emotions

• Grief or loss

• Behavioural or emotional challenges

• Difficult experiences that they may struggle to talk about

But play therapy isn't only for children experiencing significant difficulties.

Sometimes a child simply needs a safe place to pause, be heard and work through something that feels difficult to them.

What may seem small to an adult can feel very big to a child.

A space where children can simply be themselves

In the playroom, children don't need to have the “right” words or know exactly what they are feeling. They are given the freedom to explore at their own pace, in a space where they are accepted for who they are.

Through this process, children can begin to develop a stronger understanding of themselves and their emotions, while building important lifelong skills such as emotional regulation, resilience, confidence and connection.

Play therapy can also provide parents and caregivers with a better understanding of what their child may be communicating through their behaviour and emotions.

The aim is not to “fix” a child, but to understand, support and empower them, whilst giving parents and caregivers guidance and tools to support their child outside the playroom.

Because when children feel safe, understood and supported, they have the opportunity to grow.