If your child is experiencing big feelings or behaving in ways that might be hard to understand or support, it can feel very worrying. Play therapy can be an incredibly effective way to support your child when their behaviour is communicating any or a combination of the following challenges:
- Developmental needs such as neurodivergence, Autism, ADHD or physical or learning difficulties.
- The impact of trauma or abuse.
- Attachment needs.
- Bereavement & loss.
- Life transitions, including divorce, adoption and fostering.
- Relational difficulties with family or peers.
- Anxiety and phobias.
- Illness.
- Low mood and withdrawn behaviour.
- Emotional and behavioural dysregulation.
- Bullying.
- School-related anxieties or challenges.
At some point in their lives, most children will experience challenges that need to be worked through so they can continue feeling happy at home and school; however, some children will require additional support outside their families to help them process their difficulties.
A play therapist is a highly trained, qualified practitioner who can work with your child to support them in working through their challenges. Play is a child’s natural mode of communication and using toys and art materials as a language to express feelings and experiences, play therapy allows your child and their therapist to understand these together.
A Dynamic Experience
This therapy for children between the ages of four and thirteen years, uses creative approaches such as imaginative play, art, music, and movement to help your child. Using a toolkit that includes a range of art and craft materials, sand, clay, puppets, dressing up and role-play items, musical instruments, miniature figures, games and construction toys, your child will be able to work at their own pace, in their own unique way through the metaphor of play. So, without questions or the need for verbal explanation, play therapy matches the developmental stage of your child, unlike traditional talk therapies, which often require a level of cognition yet to be developed.
By building a relationship with your child and remaining flexible in adapting to their needs, a play therapist recognises and nurtures their capacity for healing and growth. Skilfully responding to your child, whilst providing a safe, containing environment, the therapist is sensitive to what is occurring psychologically and can help facilitate changes for them. Alongside this are the processes in the brain and body taking place during play therapy; we know that the brain can adapt, and the powerful experiences of play therapy can help the brain process and integrate difficult experiences and feelings that remain in the body.
Play therapy, when delivered to the standards of a professional body, such as PTUK, is a research-informed approach that has excellent outcomes; whatever the severity and complexity of your child’s difficulties, research shows that between 77% and 84% of children show positive change with play therapy, a number that increases with the severity of the problem. If you are seeking professional support for your child, play therapy can significantly help to improve relationships, social skills, pro-social behaviour, as well as improved emotional regulation, self-esteem, and cognitive and academic outcomes for your child.
Meet Our Play Therapist
Our play therapy service is delivered by Emma Courtney, a Level 7 Certified Play Therapist qualified through the University of Chichester and APAC, and registered with Play Therapy UK (PTUK). Emma has extensive experience supporting children with Autism, ADHD, developmental trauma, anxiety, attachment difficulties, bereavement, and social, emotional and mental health needs. Alongside her therapeutic qualifications, she brings over 16 years of experience in education, holding Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and working across both secondary teaching and primary pastoral support. Emma’s unique blend of therapeutic and educational expertise allows her to provide compassionate, child-centred support tailored to each child’s individual needs.
How Tabla Psychology Can Help
At Tabla Psychology, we understand how worrying it can be when your child is struggling with big emotions or challenging behaviours. Play therapy provides a safe, supportive space where children can express themselves, process difficult experiences, and build emotional resilience
If you’re concerned about your child’s emotional wellbeing or feel they could benefit from additional support, we’re here to help. Get in touch with the Tabla Psychology team to learn more about play therapy.
