Roche Play Therapy aims to provide a play environment that facilitates the personal growth and development of child clients. Parents, guardians and carers, who play the most vital role in the child's life, are supported and advised in relation to changes that might benefit their child. It is they who know their child better than anyone else can.
As an accredited member, I am bound by the ethical and practice guidelines of The Irish Association for Play Therapy and Psychotherapy (www.iaptp.ie).
Following initial contact, usually by phone, with parent or guardian of the child I arrange a meeting with the adult/s to gather relevant background information and to answer any queries they may have. I then arrange a number of sessions with the child, following which a review with parent/s or carer/s takes place. At this review a decision may be taken for the child to continue attending Play Therapy for more sessions.
Play sessions usually last an hour and take place at the same time each week. Unless otherwise indicated a drink and a couple of biscuits will be available to the child during the session. The child can engage with the toys and materials in the room in many ways and within the bounds of safety the child leads the play with me joining in if given a role. Opportunities to gently draw attention to feelings or emotional content are taken when appropriate.
The initial sessions are undertaken in a non-directive approach, with me following the child's lead. As the relationship develops a more directive approach may be used, focussing where appropriate on aspects of presenting issues.
Throughout the Play Therapy process communication and review continues with the child's parent/s or guardian/s. Parents are supported with regard to issues that may come up during the process. Particular queries are addressed and relevant guidance offered, where appropriate.
When the Play Therapy is coming to an end it is vital that the ending be planned and predictable. Experiencing a good ending to the Play Therapy process helps the child learn to manage and cope better with endings. A review of the time spent together will take place in the last session, helping the child to identify the progress made and to move forward into their life.
I also provide small-group sessions, eg. focussing on social skills or self-esteem issues. These can be provided in school or other environments, and usually run weekly for six to eight weeks as needed.
*-Landreth G. (2005)-
