FAQS
I am wanting my child to commence Play Therapy. How do we start?
A free 15-minute phone call is scheduled with Tanya to briefly discuss your child's needs and see if play therapy is a good fit. We would then meet for an Intake Meeting allowing usually 1-1.5 hours. This meeting provides the time where we can discuss in depth your child's needs and all aspects of their world including family, school/kindergarten/childcare, community.
This time together allows us to decide how play therapy may work most effectively for you and your child and what the treatment plan may look like. We are able to establish some initial goals and what other supports may also help to have in place. This allows you to also ask any questions you may have about play therapy or your child's developmental concerns. We will then have a parent session every 5-6 sessions to discuss our observations and treatment goals.
What happens in a Play Therapy session?
When your child attends a play therapy session, they will do so by themselves whilst you wait in the waiting area. However, if they need you to attend the sessions with them initially, that is fine. The sessions are scheduled for 50 minutes in length, with 1 hourallowed for debrief, clean up and note writing. In session you may hear your child engage in laughing, music, role play or express big emotions- or they may be silent, as they work through their inner feelings and gain a greater understanding of the world around them. Most of the time your child will leave the playroom regulated and content, but sometimes sessions can be challenging, and your child may need extra emotional support from you.
Upon finishing the session your child may want to share what happened with the session or may want to keep that to themselves. We ask that you ask you don't question your child after a session and let them share information with you at their own pace.
How do I prepare my child for a session? What do I tell them?
Prior to your child beginning play therapy it's important to let them know that they will be meeting someone new and coming to a place with a special playroom that has toys, games and creative materials. When at play therapy they can be who they want to be and do most of the things that they would like to do with what is available. If your child asks, why they are going to play therapy, you could tell them that it is a special place where there can share their thoughts, feelings, ideas or concerns if they choose to (this can be adapted depending on your child and their circumstances/referral reasons). Encourage your child to come in comfortable clothes, as play therapy can be active and messy and they are then ready for this.