WHAT IS PLAY THERAPY
Play therapy is a therapeutic approach primarily used to help children explore their feelings, express themselves, and make sense of their life experiences. it is most. Play therapy is especially beneficial for children experiencing a range of emotional and behavioral challenges such as anxiety, depression, anger management issues and grief. Additionally, children who have been exposed to traumatic events, such as abuse, neglect, family harm, or the loss of a loved one, can find play therapy to be a safe space to process their experiences and feelings. It also aids children with developmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), by improving their social skills, communication, and emotional regulation. Furthermore, children dealing with social issues like bullying, difficulties in making friends, or family challenges such as parental separation or divorce, can greatly benefit from play therapy.
The therapeutic setting of play therapy is designed to be safe and supportive, allowing children to feel secure while exploring their feelings and experiences. Play therapy provides an alternative to verbal communication, which can be challenging for children, enabling them to express emotions and thoughts they might not articulate with words. Through play therapy, children learn to understand and manage their emotions and behaviors better, developing coping strategies, problem-solving skills, and emotional resilience. The interactive play elements help children to develop and practice social skills such as sharing, cooperation, and empathy, which are essential for building healthy relationships. As children navigate various scenarios through play, they gain a sense of mastery and control, boosting their self-esteem and confidence, which can positively impact other areas of their lives. Ultimately, play therapy helps children facing emotional, behavioral, developmental, and social challenges to express themselves, learn coping mechanisms, and build essential life skills. Through the power of play, children can heal and grow, ultimately leading to improved emotional and psychological well-being.
Garry Landreth
"Toys are used like words by children and play is their language...there are many experiences in childhood in which children feel they have little or no control. Play is children's way of working out balance and control in their lives"
Play therapy sessions are 30-45 minutes long and take place weekly for around 20 weeks. This gives the child time to build a trusting relationship with the therapist to then do the deep therapeutic work needed and to go through the four stages of play therapy. How long this takes in different for each child. I see children between the ages 3-10.
I have a special play room set up in Oxford with specific toys, where the children can come for their play therapy sessions. I also offer the option of visiting children at their school or preschool.
Part of the process is also meeting with parents, to share information to support you with your at home. Parent review sessions will happen approximately every 5 weeks. This is a great way to gain understanding of what is going on for your child and also indivudlized parenting tools.
I also offer Strengthening the child and parent relationship, for this I work closely with the parent and then do sessions together with the parent and child in the play room. This can be beneficial to work on attachment if there has been a disruption to this and also if your child is having separation anxiety. We can also work with children from the age of 2.
The first step is to meet and get more information around what is happening for your family and I will discuss the play therapy process in depth with you. Please reach out if you would like to start the process or have any questions.
Fees
Are a sliding scale from $50-$100 per session
Kia ora, I am Taryn.
I am a qualified Child Centered Play Therapist and have a Bachelor in Early Childhood Education. I have been working with children and their families in various roles for over 18 years. I have supported many children and families through Play Therapy, I love seeing the difference that this can make in their lives. I am passionate about helping and supporting children and their families to grow, heal and thrive.
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I have 3 children of my own and live in North Canterbury. I love being in nature, reading and spending time connecting with my family and friends.
FEEDBACK
What My Clients Are Saying
"Play Therapy has helped Sam to have a much more positive outlook on life. He has gained emotional regulation skills and social skills. I have seen a big change in him at home in his ability to play with his sister and in his ability to accept boundaries as well as his problem solving skills. His teacher has seem a big change in him at school also, he is more social and gets along with his peers much better. He can now communicate with us and his peers when things are difficult. We are so pleased with the difference seeing Taryn has made for our family"
Sandy Mum to 7 year old
"We came to see Taryn due to the huge meltdowns that our 4 year old was having. Throughout this process we saw a huge change in their ability to communicate thier emotions and to calm down. We also got some great parenting adive that has really helped. This has made our family so much calmer and happier."