Information for parents and carers

Are you worried about your child's or young person's behaviour or mental health?

Maybe they are:

Angry?
Sad?
Withdrawn?
Anxious?
Struggling at school?
Having difficulties with relationships with friends and/or family?
Having to deal with a difficult experiences? For example, parental separation, grief and loss, bullying, domestic abuse, serious illness?

If any of these apply to your child, it may be that play therapy could help them to explore their feelings, to express themselves and to make sense of their life experiences.

Play therapy can help your child to:

Improve self-esteem
Reduce anxiety
Improve family and peer relationships
Reduce anger
Improve school performance

If you are worried about your child and feel that play therapy might be of help, please call us to chat through the issues. Or you could make a direct referral if you would prefer.

Next Steps

Once you’ve made a referral, there may be a short wait, whilst we allocate your child to a play therapist. We will always keep you up to date and informed as to a likely start date.

Play Therapy sessions generally last for 45 mins and take place at the same time each week. Schools are often happy for children to come during school time but we can offer some after-school appointments.

We would then arrange to meet you here at Toucan for Children, so that we can learn a bit more about the difficulties your child is experiencing and answer any questions you may have. This also gives you an opportunity to see the play rooms.

The play therapist would then arrange for your child to come in and meet with them and have a short introductory session. If all goes well, the play therapist would then see your child for an initial 12 weekly sessions at the same time and place each week. An important part of the child’s therapy is that their sessions are regular and reliable.

At around week seven, we will have a review meeting with you and any other appropriate professionals to discuss your child’s progress and if there is a need for more sessions. When sessions have been concluded, a short meeting is arranged and an end report can be written and shared with yourself and other professionals if appropriate.

Talking to your child about play therapy

An important aspect of your child’s therapy is that they know that sessions are confidential and that they won’t be questioned about it. You may find it helpful to read the short Children’s section.

Facilities

There is a comfortable waiting area for parents/carers with tea and coffee facilities and ample free parking at The Mews and Alvin Street. There is an expectation that parent/carers will stay on site in the waiting room whilst their child is in therapy.

Costs

Please contact us to discuss the cost of our service.