Who can play therapy help?
Research has found Play Therapy to be beneficial for every child and can be used as a preventative measure. It helps children make sense of their world, reaching their full potential while developing resilience and emotional intelligence. It is also a psychotherapeutic intervention when offered by appropriately qualified practitioners. Play therapy practitioners who are not psychotherapists are not intended to provide treatment for children with complex issues including those linked to trauma, attachment disruptions, or mental health concerns. In such cases the referral should be made to a psychotherapist with a specialisation in play therapy who can provide a developmentally appropriate intervention to address difficulties and distress.
Possible referral issues include:
- Emotional or behavioural issues
- Communication difficulties
- Delayed or uneven development
- Learning difficulties
- Relationship difficulties
- Family Disruptions such as illness or divorce
- Trauma
- Bereavement or loss
- Abuse or neglect
- Chronic illness/hospitalisation
- Bonding and attachment issues
- Fostering, adoption and identity issues.
- ADD, ADHD, Autism
- Elective Mutism
- Anxiety
- Bullying
- Low Self-Esteem
- Poor play skills