One-to-one
Play
Therapy
Who is play therapy for?
Play therapy can help children aged 4-12 years old who are struggling with their emotional health. They may be engaging in difficult behaviours such as non-compliance or violent behaviours, feel angry, anxious or sad, struggle to form relationships with others, find it hard to attend school settings, or self-harm.
There are countless reasons why your child might feel this way. They may have experienced something difficult in their life, such as a bereavement or a parent experiencing mental health difficulties. They may have a SEND need that makes them highly anxious in their environments.
How does play therapy help?
Play therapy is a form of counselling which uses a child’s language. Play is the main form of communication for children. It is a space when they practise and master skills, as well as gaining a sense of who they are and forming and developing an understanding of their relationship to others.
In therapy the child is given the space to play and explore the toys and materials we provide, alongside building a safe relationship with their therapist. Their therapist will then gently hold the play, emotions, thoughts and creativity that are brought to the sessions while following the child’s lead, guiding them when necessary.
Play therapy has shown to support children to:
Feel more confident in expressing their thoughts and feelings
Develop their emotional vocabulary by accessing the language the Play Therapist relates to their experiences
Develop more socially appropriate behaviour
Improve their self-image and self-esteem
Improve concentration and organisation
Become more confident and creative in their play.
What does play therapy with Ubuntu look like?
We have playrooms in St Anne’s House, Bristol and The Stable, Weston-Super-Mare. We also have limited access to Woodcroft Community Orchard for outdoor play therapy sessions.
The therapy process starts with meeting you, the parent/ carer. You will have the opportunity to share about your child’s experiences so far, identify what’s difficult and what you would like to see change.
Your child will come for a minimum of 20 weekly play therapy sessions to one of our play spaces. These happen at the same time each week and last 50 minutes.
These spaces have a variety of open-ended play materials that your child can access for their sessions. Art materials, clay, sand, water, role play and dress-up items, musical instruments, puppets, balls, games and Lego are available to your child to help them process difficult feelings and situations and gain confidence and self-esteem in who they are.
They will have sessions with the same therapist. Their job is to create a safe, supportive and therapeutic space for your child.
Alongside the play therapy sessions, your child’s therapist will meet with you 3 times. This is for both you and the therapist to check in with what’s changed/ progressing at home and in the therapy space, as well as an opportunity for you to look at your relationship with your child together.
Testimonials
‘I can see a big positive difference towards [my child] going to school again and leaving me [mum].’
‘I noticed an improvement in [my child’s] ability to regulate, express his emotions and understand the emotions of others at home.’
‘I feel that [my child] is able to express how she’s feeling better and talk about it.’
‘Things at home are happier now’
‘Therapy has ‘helped him learn calming/ coping strategies for stress/ change’
‘Her physical outbursts are a lot less frequent – she seems to be able to regulate herself a little better’
‘They now use less self-critical language at home’
‘Therapy has been a life line for us as a family, it has transformed our son! Our son is now confident, happier, more emotionally regulated.’
Costs
One therapy session costs £65.
If you live close to one of our playrooms in BS4 or BS23, we can offer sessions at a discounted rate of £55.
Please enquire for pricing if you are an organisation commissioning work.
