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Parent/Carer Summary

We believe that every parent wants the best for their children.

This includes good physical and mental health. Without good emotional well-being children cannot reach their full potential through effective learning and social relationships.

Many children need emotional support. Others have behaviour or mental health problems which at some stage might prevent them from fulfilling their full potential. These problems are quite common. PTUK advises that they are addressed as early as possible

Studies indicate that 1 in 5 of our children have some form of psychological problem. The good news is that between 72% and 83% of these children show a positive change as a result of play therapy delivered to PTUK standards, the more severe the problems, the higher the percentage of positive change.

Play therapy and therapeutic play does not involve the use of medication. It is child led, within safe boundaries. The Therapist follows the child’s lead, communicating with them using the toys, play objects or the creative arts medium that the child has chosen. These include: drawing and painting; creating their world in a sand tray; clay; puppets; music – the children don’t have to have artistic or musical skills (If your child is on medication, for example for ADHD, then it does not prevent them receiving play therapy support).

The toys, objects and media that we use enable the child to express themselves and work through their issues using unconscious as well as conscious processes. Children very often can’t or don’t want to talk about their problems. Indeed talking accounts for less than 15% of the time, on average, during the sessions.

We use a very reliable, easy to complete, questionnaire to assess the extent of the child’s problems, to determine the number of 40 minute sessions needed and to measure progress. The average number of sessions is 15 but can vary from 6 to 36 depending upon the severity of the issues.

Filial Play Coaching

If you are finding it difficult to get along with one of your children, this may be due to what is known as attachment issues. These are quite common problems, usually due to events outside of the parents’ control. Filial play, based on the principles of child led play, is an effective way of resolving attachment problems and improving parent/child relationships. It involves a coaching programme, usually of about 10 one-hour sessions and a commitment to play with your child at home for at least 10 minutes a day for at least 5 days a week. You can search for Registrants who meet the PTUK standards at our Home Page.

Finding the help that you need page

This site gives you access to a list of Registrants who have met our high standards, by the Professional Standards Authority, where you can also find their professional details.

All registrants are highly trained, have to keep their knowledge up to date, and are required to manage the safety and quality of their work through a monthly process of clinical supervision and an annual clinical audit.