Welcome to Woodlands Play Therapy, where we believe in the power of play and creativity to heal and empower children.
Our approach combines play therapy, creative arts and creative mindfulness to support children facing a range of social emotional and behavioural challenges.
With a personalised, holistic approach for children and their families, we aim to provide children with a safe space to explore emotions, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and foster strengthened levels of healthy connections, emotional well-being and resilience.
What Is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is an evidence based therapeutic process, helping children to help themselves. It is a safe space where children can express themselves and work through difficulties using their natural language of communication – PLAY.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, which can be a challenge particularly for younger children, play therapy allows children to communicate at their own level and at their own pace. This offers a unique and effective approach to children’s healing and growth, helping them to navigate different emotions, build resilience and confidence levels.
About Me
Michelle is the founder of Woodlands Play Therapy, which is based in Prosperous, Co. Kildare.
She works with children and young people aged 3 years to 12 years of age, and offers one to one play therapy sessions, group therapy sessions and creative mindfulness groups.
Who Can Benefit From Play Therapy?
Play therapy is usually recommended for children between the ages of 3 years and 12 years of age, however, adaptions to activities/ tasks and therapeutic focus can be made for children over 12 years of age to facilitate their engagement where the traditional “talk therapy” has been deemed inappropriate.
What Can Play Therapy Help With?
Abuse/trauma
Anxiety/withdrawn
Attachment issues
Autism/ADHD
Behavioural concerns
Bullied/bullying
Communication challenges
Concentration difficulties
Developing creativity and imagination
Emotional regulation
Family relationship difficulties
Loss, bereavement
Nightmares, disturbed sleep
Parental conflict, separation, divorce
School attendance struggles
Social difficulties
FAQ's
If a child is displaying behaviours that are concerning for parents or teachers, or if they are finding it hard to cope in some situations, play therapy could be a beneficial approach to support a child.
Play therapy is appropriate for children aged 3 – 12 years of age.
The amount of play therapy sessions that a child needs will vary from child to child. The initial contract is a 12 week block of sessions, an initial parental consultation and parental review meeting around week 8 – 10. This is where your childs progress and changes will be reviewed and discussed. We will also assess if it is time to close sessions, or if we may need to re-contract and continue with further play therapy supports. There are many contributing factors that play a role in how long a child will require play therapy for.
As with any form of therapy, a child attending play therapy will be entering into a supportive, safe and confidential environment. It is essential that parents and children understand that I will not be sharing what the child does/talk about in their sessions, allowing them to trust and fully engage in the therapeutic process. However, you can expect to be updated on how the sessions are generally progressing. The only limitation to this confidentiality is if a child discloses that someone has hurt them. I then inform the child that we will need to talk to someone that can help them. As parents/guardians, you will be informed of any concerns or disclosures that have occurred, in advance of the necessary action being taken.
Sessions take place weekly, at the same agreed day and time for the duration of the childs time engaging in play therapy.
Each session is 40 minutes.
The role of the play therapist is to provide a trusting relationship and safe space in which the child feels secure to express themselves and explore their emotions and experiences.
A core principle of play therapy states that a child needs space and time in order to explore their world, feelings and experiences at their own pace. While we will have certain hopes for what will be achieved by a child engaging in the play therapy process, it is essential that we move at the childs pace, as they move through their therapeutic process.
Always using age appropriate language, it is important that we are transparent and honest. Explain to your child that you have found a lady called Michelle, who has a lovely play room with lots of toys that you can use to help you to explore and manage your big feelings – depending on the childs referral reasons, during the initial parental consultation your play therapist will be able to advise you on the best way to chat with your child about attending play therapy.
Your childs play therapy session is their space and time and they need to express themselves at their own pace. Please do not ask your child how their session was, this can often put pressure on a child to communicate something that they may not fully understand themselves, or be ready to share yet. This can then cause more confusion than clarity for the child. Be consistent and open to listening to what your child wants to share with you and respond and connect with them in a positive manner; this will help your child to know that they are safe, understood and that their feelings are valid. Be aware that sometimes things can get worse before they get better – keep in contact with your play therapist and you can navigate this process together.
Parent Feedback
Contact Me
If you have any queries or questions please do not hesitate to contact me and I will be happy to help.
Phone
085 1646942
Address
Woodlands Play Therapy, Downings North, Prosperous, Co.Kildare, W91 XD92
woodlandsplaytherapy@gmail.com
