Child-Centred Play Therapy… What is it?

Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) is a form of child counselling for children from ages 3 through to 12.

The most natural means of communication for tamariki is through play. Play therapists enter the child’s play world to communicate with them and help them understand and resolve psychological and psychosocial challenges, e.g. trauma, separation of parents, loss of a loved one, chronic illness, etc.

In play therapy, tamariki are able to express their experiences and feelings through a natural, self-guided and self-healing process. They are helped towards healthier and better social integration, growth and development - Te manawa whanaungatanga mō ngā tamariki katoa: the heart of relationship for every child.

In CCPT, a relationship of trust is developed between the child and play therapist, making the playroom a place of safety.

The benefits of play therapy for children include:

  • A safe place in which to express their thoughts and feelings.

  • Facilitates the development of self esteem, problem-solving and coping skills.

  • Supports emotional healing and growth.

  • Assists children in making decisions and in accepting responsibility for these.

  • Develops a child’s ability to explore and practise social skills.

  • Fosters a child’s ability to make friends and to understand the world they live in.

  • Allows children to discover their natural, inner resources for healing.

  • Encourages children to be confident and focused.

  • Fosters imagination and creativity.

  • A safe environment for children who find talking difficult.

In play therapy, toys are like the child’s words and play is the child’s language.
— Dr. Garry Landreth
 

Evidenced based practice 

Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) is one of the most thoroughly researched theoretical models of play therapy in the world and is based on the solid theoretical Person-Centred counselling model of Carl Rogers. The United States Government's  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has designated CCPT as being on their National Registry of Evidence Based Programs and Practices.

Play Therapy Services

Children from as young as three years old are able to be in a play therapy process and weekly sessions in a special playroom are recommended.

Parents and caregivers have an important role to play in their child’s therapeutic process and regular review meetings are scheduled to ensure they are updated with their child’s overall progress. Support in parenting and in strengthening their relationship is also provided in these review sessions.

A separate therapy process may be provided for both parent and child in the playroom to help strengthen their relationship together. Play therapy with siblings and small groups of children (2-3), may also be offered in order to help with their emotional and social development.

Trainers in the ChildPlayWorks team regularly work with children in a playroom setting. Graduates and advanced trainees from our Play Therapy Training Programme are available for play therapy services throughout New Zealand.

Please get in touch with us for more information.

Play is a child’s life and the means by which they come to understand the world around them.
— Susan Isaacs
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