Play therapy is usually a one-to-one sessions of 40 minutes but Elaine also works with siblings, families and groups of children.
Before starting working with a child Elaine will meet with the referrer (usually a parent, a carer or a school) to allow them to share their concerns about the child. Together they will look at the child’s history and also the child’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as any significant challenges the child has faced. Elaine may also ask permission to contact teachers or other significant adults in the child’s life.
If you decide to work together, you will sign an initial contract for 12 weekly sessions with Elaine. Towards the end of that time, you will meet with Elaine again to discuss how the therapy should progress.
Depending on the child and their individual needs, play therapy may be a short-term intervention, of 12 sessions, or a more extended intervention. Persistent or complex problems may need at least a school year, around 36 sessions.
Elaine will also meet with the child, introduce herself and the playroom, answer any questions they have and ask them to complete some assessment work - a drawing and a questionnaire.
A conversation around confidentiality and safe-guarding expectations will be had with both the referrer and, in an age-appropriate way, with the child before any therapeutic work begins.
If it has been decided that animal assisted play therapy is appropriate, Elaine will also introduce the child and their adults to Orca, her therapy dog.
Once sessions start in the play room they will be at the same time in the same place every week. Maintaining this consistency helps build the therapeutic relationship between Elaine and the child and missed sessions may disrupt the child’s therapeutic process. Arrangements for holidays and illness will be covered in the initial meeting.
It takes time to build a trusted, therapeutic relationship with a therapist, usually towards the end of the first 12 sessions, but it can take much longer if the child has had negative past experiences and finds trusting adults challenging.