Play Therapy
Helping kids overcome obstaclesChildren’s Counselling/Play Therapy in Surrey
Your Struggling Child
Perhaps your child is aggressive towards other children and is disruptive in the classroom. Or she is shy and anxious, tending towards worrisome thoughts and acting out of fear. Or he is struggling at school to fit in and feels bullied and rejected by peers. Maybe they are underachieving in school. Perhaps you as parents are going through divorce and your child is having a hard time coping with new living circumstances. There are many reasons you might seek professional help for your struggling child when their mental health is at risk.
These days parents are facing difficult challenges with their children in our modern world, which can leave you feeling inadequate and in need of additional support. Play is a the way a child naturally expresses themselves – often using play to express what words cannot. Play allows your child to be in the present and be mindful of what is going on in themselves and around themselves. Sessions are fun when the therapist engages with you, laughs with you and plays with you! Expressive Arts Therapy is here to save the day with a room full of colorful toys.
Parenting is tough!
I can help you to better understand their emotions and to help kids overcome obstacles through the use of the imagination and the creative arts. We use visual arts, creative role playing and improvisation, movement, sand tray, puppetry, clay, toy figurines and various games, including interactive games that can help with emotional regulation and creating a balance in body/mind. Through therapy, kids can learn to be more fully adjusted and capable beings.
Some areas of child behaviour that I work with include:
Anxiety
Eating disorders
Sexual abuse
Processing divorce
Issues with self-esteem
Autism
Depression
Trauma/PTSD
It’s important to know when to seek help. A major cue that a child needs support is when they are exhibiting behavior that is disruptive or when they are showing signs of distress. Some symptoms that I can help with include:
Excessive worry or fearfulness
Panic attacks
Anger or emotional overreactions\
Difficulty concentrating or inattention
Moodiness or aggression
Social difficulties
Obsessive hand washing
Isolation
Sleep pattern or eating pattern disruptions
Excessive sadness or hopelessness
The Many Ways Expressive Arts Therapy can help your Child
There are many benefits to play therapy that extend to children of all ages, including:
Using creative solutions to problems
Developing acceptance of self and self esteem
Developing respect and empathy for others
Expressing emotions
Learning new social skills and familial skills
Developing greater responsibility
Healing trauma
Developing trust and faith in their abilities
Using the imagination to promote insight and understanding
We work as a team to help your son or daughter be successful. I work one-on-one with your child, utilizing the arts to help them adjust and adapt to challenges in life.
