Play is a childs natural form of communication and integral to their physical, emotional and cognitive development.  Difficult life experiences disrupt normal development which can ultimately lead to mental health problems.

 

Play Therapy is an effective therapy based on the belief that children have an innate tendency to engage in play and that play is a natural way for them to communicate their thoughts, feelings, experiences and trauma, process and master painful or fearful experiences through the safety and psychological distance of play.  Through play and creative arts therapy children can discover and rehearse different ways of understanding and coping with difficult feelings, leading to a healthier and happier way of being.

 

​When to refer to Play and Creative Arts Therapy

 

If a child has suffered difficult life experiences such as:

 

• Family breakdown, separation or divorce

• Bereavement

• Serious illness/hospitalisation  

• Adopted or are in foster care

• Domestic violence

• Bullying

• Abuse

• Attachment difficulties

 

and/or are displaying Signs of psychological disturbance such as:-

• depression

• anxiety

• aggression

 

Play therapists at Toucan for Children are members of either  PTUK (Play Therapy UK or  BAPT (British Association of Play Therapists) and are professionally either training or qualified in Play and Creative Arts Therapy.  All our therapists have regular clinical supervision and meet our standards of clinical excellence.

 

All our therapists are registered with either PTUK or BAPT and are required to abide by their professional body’s Professional Conduct Policy and Ethical Basis for Good Practice.  

 

How to refer?

 

​ We work with children for a minimum of 12 sessions and depending on the nature of the referral and the child’s needs we are able to work with more complex cases on a long term basis, providing funding is available.

 

Whatever the reason for referral, our expectation and commitment is to work closely with professionals as part of meeting the best interest and needs of the child

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We welcome referrals from Social Care Teams, CAMHS/CYPS, GP’s, Primary and Secondary Schools and any other professionals that work with children and families.

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If you any questions about making a referral, please do not hesitate to call us to discuss the case. Alternatively, please complete the referral form with as much information as possible.

 

Next steps

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Once a referral has been made, there may be a short wait, whilst we allocate the case to a play therapist. We will always keep you up to date and informed and we welcome regular communication from professionals.

 

Once an allocation has been made the play therapist will carry out an initial assessment, which helps us to determine the level of therapeutic need and ensure that we are the right service for the child.

 

Sessions are carried out weekly with an expectation of a commitment to a minimum of 12 sessions.  The average length of therapy is 18 sessions.  However, our commitment as far as possible is to provide therapy commensurate with the child’s needs to ensure the optimum conditions for sustainable change.  Children who have suffered complex trauma are likely to require more long term therapy if this is to be achieved.  At a review around the 7 session mark the therapist will have better insight into the therapeutic needs of the child/young person.

 

It is important that when making a referral that funding is in place.