The Role of Parents & Guardians
Long-lasting benefits
If you are worried about your child we would love to talk to you to see how we can help. We can have an initial chat and free consultation. This will allow you to make an informed decision about whether to start Play Therapy sessions with Play Therapy Northumberland. As a parent or guardian you have a key role in the therapy your child receives. It would help me if you can pass on as much information as possible about past and current experiences.
- Last 45 minutes
- Starting and finishing on time is vital
- Please ensure your child wears clothes that are washable / messy
- I work within PTUK's Ethical Framework and adhere to the policies as outlined by PTUK
- Please also feel free to ask me any questions throughout the process, whilst understanding that I will maintain confidentiality unless I have cause for concern
- Play Therapy sessions may last from twelve weeks to long term work, depending on the individual needs of your child
Confidentiality
Your Questions Answered
List of Services
-
Did You Have a Good Time?List Item 2
This is a natural parental question and usually it would be fine. However, I do request that parents or carers not ask this after children's sessions.
There are a couple of reasons for this:
Sometimes sessions are difficult for the child - not all play is happy play.
Children may be working through quite difficult issues and not want to respond to this question. The parent may not think the issue is as important as the child does but as adults we have to acknowledge that what we think are trivial issues may be quite daunting for a child.
Wishing children a “good time”
It is completely natural to want your child to enjoy their session and to wish them well beforehand. However, saying “Have a good time!” can unintentionally create pressure for the child to perform or “be happy” in their session. Play Therapy is a space where all feelings are welcome – not just the comfortable or happy ones.
A more supportive phrase might be something like:
“I hope your session is helpful for you” or “I’ll be here when you’re finished”.
This lets the child know that they are free to feel whatever they need to feel in the session, without the expectation that it must be fun or positive.
-
Have You Said Thank You?
This is a natural parental question.
After a session, children do not need to thank me!
The child is the one who has been doing all the hard work, I have been their witness, held their space and kept them safe, but they have done the work.
I accept the child/ren just as they are without judgement or expectation, the children do the same. So there is no need for any thanks.
-
Can My Child Bring Toys?List Item 3
Toys from home may evoke certain memories or feelings whereas the toys provided in the therapy sessions are neutral. So if the play evolves and something bad happens to a neutral toy - that is okay.
Sometimes toys get broken or damaged during play. It is not the child's fault but if that happened to a 'favourite' toy, it may be more difficult for a child.
-
Look At This Mess!
Mess is a positive sign that children are working through their issues. It is important for the child to know that it is 'okay' to make a mess if they need to and the play therapist will deal with it.
Children realise quite quickly that play therapy is not like home or school. There are very few rules and the play therapist is not their parent or their teacher.
They understand that it is a time for them to challenge/ investigate/ explore their feelings and so they can make a mess and leave it for the play therapist to clean up.
-
Can They Bring Art home?
Each child has a 'special box/folder' for their creations. I keep these creations safe by until the end of the intervention.
One of the reasons for this is it is important for the child to have the chance to look at their creations throughout their intervention - if they wish to do so.
Another reason is, it is a way for the therapeutic relationship to develop as the children put trust in the play therapist to keep their creations safe.
