Every child will be welcomed into the room and after that session’s introduction, will be given the opportunity to play or not as they choose. This option is always given as sometimes children may want to just talk, or maybe just be still and quiet.
The time is child-centred and child-led. Occasionally Elaine may offer a specific activity to support the child in their process, but it is always up to them if they choose to engage with it.
A range of techniques are offered in the play therapy so the child can express themselves in the ways they are most comfortable. There are lots of things to do, so a child has plenty of choice and doesn’t have to ‘do’ anything they don’t like.
Some children play with lots of different things, some children have a favourite thing to do every week. Sometimes children engage Elaine in their play, but not always.
If Orca is in the room, she is sometimes talked to or played with and sometimes petted or ignored. All of a child’s approaches to play are perfectly fine as long as everyone and everything is safe. Boundaries are only put in place if they are needed.
Some techniques a child may engage with in the playroom include:
- Sand tray play
- Small world play (the use of miniatures)
- Clay work
- Art, including painting, drawing and construction art
- Dance and movement
- Music
- Therapeutic storytelling
- Creative visualisation
- Puppets
- Role play and dressing up
- Construction – Lego, Duplo etc.
If a child has specific additional physical or learning needs these can be accommodated and the techniques in the playroom can be tailored to their needs, for example, a child with hypersensitive hearing may not wish to have musical instruments in the room.
Equally if a child is likely to be triggered by any techniques or environmental conditions, Elaine can support them by adapting the techniques or environment to help.