Colleen Fouche - Counselling Psychologist in Kloof

BA. Hons. (Psych) Unisa; M.Soc.Sci. (Psych) UKZN

Child Psychotherapy - Play Therapy

What is play therapy and how does it work ?

Young children do not communicate in the same way that adults do. They do not have the cognitive or verbal maturity to express their feelings and anxieties in words. Children communicate through play. Play therapy is therefore a natural form of communication whereby children can 'play out' their experiences and feelings in an environment where they feel safe and understood. In play therapy, a self-healing process takes place as children act out, explore and resolve the emotional, social and behavioural difficulties they are experiencing.

Play Therapy can assist with:

  • Anxiety/Separation Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Behavioural concerns, including ADHD, tantrums & school refusal
  • Parent & child relationship difficulties, excessive sibling rivalry
  • Traumatic experiences such as crime and abuse
  • Adjusting to new situations including divorce & change of schools
  • School difficulties, bullying & peer relationship problems
  • Sleeping & eating concerns/Bedwetting
  • Coping with psychological difficulties & challenges relating to Cancer
  • Low self-esteem    

 

All cases which involve a child will begin with a session with the parent(s), whereby a full developmental, social and educational history is taken and the current presenting problem and reason for referral is discussed. The child will then be assessed and an effective therapeutic intervention (ie. Play Therapy) will be identified. As each child is unique, the number of sessions required, depends on the child's personality and presenting problem.

 

 

 


         Play Therapy                      Parenting  Skills                            Family Therapy