Non-Directive and Child Centred Play Therapy in Aberdeen
Information & Questions
At Mixed Emotions, I mainly receive referrals from parents/caregivers but I also welcome them from fostering/adoption agencies, schools, charities, social workers, GPs, or other organisations.
Play Therapy can only begin when written consent is obtained by the person or persons holding parental responsibility for the child.
I offer a free initial 15-minute telephone call for you to share why you feel your child may benefit from Play Therapy. We will discuss fees and payment details.
If Play Therapy is deemed suitable, we will arrange an in-person meeting.
This usually lasts around 75-90 minutes, giving us time to go through the Play Therapy process, sign consent forms and address any questions or concerns you may have. As we will be discussing sensitive information, your child will not be present.
The sessions are conducted on a one-to-one basis, with your child and I. They will be on the same day, time and place each week, usually for 50 minutes duration. I ask you to ensure your child arrives in time for their session, and for you to wait onsite to collect them once the session has finished.
This varies depending on the reason for referral, your child’s age and stage of development, their ability to engage and for how long they have been experiencing their difficulties for. We will discuss this as the Play Therapy process evolves.
An initial block of 5 Play Therapy assessment sessions will be offered, to help us decide if continuing Play Therapy is best for your child. Feedback will be provided at the end of the block.
Confidentiality is upheld throughout the therapeutic process. I will not discuss what your child plays with or says during their sessions. Instead, I will share themes in your child’s play and offer ways to support your child outside of Play Therapy.
Confidentiality does not apply if a child protection concern arises.
Following the assessment sessions, Play Therapy will be offered in blocks of 10 sessions. Feedback will be provided at the end of each block. Between sessions, updates from home can be done via email, text or telephone call.
Endings play a crucial role in the Play Therapy process, whether at the end of a weekly session or when concluding the entire process. Endings are always carefully considered and planned in advance to ensure the child has enough time to prepare themselves emotionally.
Unexpected absences can have a significant impact on the therapeutic process and may hinder the development of a therapeutic relationship. If your child needs to miss a session for any reason, where possible, please provide advance notice to help minimise any disruption.
Assuming your child did not ask to attend Play Therapy, they may have concerns or be confused about why it is being offered. How you talk to your child about Play Therapy, depends on your child’s age and the reason for referral. Together, we will think of how to introduce Play Therapy in a way that makes sense to your particular child.
As the person who knows your child best, your involvement is essential throughout the therapeutic process, significantly influencing the overall outcome. By taking care of your own health and well-being, you are better placed to support your child with their Play Therapy sessions. Remember, you cannot pour from an empty cup!
Play Therapy is your child’s time. They are welcome to share their Play Therapy experience but may choose to keep their sessions private. Please respect their privacy and freedom to choose. Allow your child to share at their own pace and resist any temptation to ask questions or use Play Therapy as a ‘reward’ for good behaviour.
As your child works through the therapeutic process, their behaviour may appear to deteriorate. This can be a normal part of the process, requiring empathy, patience and ongoing support between sessions. To help you with this, please share any concerns you have with me.
‘Play’ is generally associated with fun, games and young children. When people hear of Play Therapy, they often assume it will be ‘fun’ for children. Whilst Play Therapy can at times be fun, it is a mental health intervention for children who need of help to process difficult feelings.
With this in mind, please do not ask your child if they had fun during their session.
Unresolved issues in childhood often resurface in adulthood, sometimes as a more severe mental health condition. If you are worried about your child, don’t delay reaching out for fear of judgement or blame. Your willingness to get help shows just how much you care and is a positive step forward in supporting your child and sharing your load.
Play Therapy is not advised to begin directly after a traumatic event or if things are unsettled at home. Children need time to recover, develop or regain an internal sense of safety before they are able to process any emotional difficulties.
Your child cannot start Play Therapy if they are participating in any other form of therapy.
Get in touch
If you are interested in discussing Play Therapy for your child, please reach out using the contact form.
I would be grateful for the opportunity to support your child and look forward to hearing from you.
Please know that your inquiry is important to me. I will respond as soon as I can, but I do not work at weekends.