Why may children need Play Therapy?
The way children cope with difficulties can often be puzzling for parents and the adults teaching or caring for them. What is outwardly seen as prolonged defiance and anger, impulsivity and hyperactivity, anxiety or aggression, may be the outward manifestations of a child’s secret longings that they are not able to express.
Morning Star Community Services provides Theraplay®-based Play Therapy sessions for children and equips parents to support their child.
How does Play Therapy work?
The Play Therapist uses a wide range of play and creative art techniques, including Sand Play Therapy and Art Therapy, to help children with difficulties that lie deep beneath the surface.
In the process, a child’s brain is also being transformed to help them become more emotionally and behaviourally regulated. Parents can also opt for parenting sessions concurrently, where a family therapist supports you in addressing your child’s challenging behaviours and provides tips on how to support your child’s therapeutic play process.
What are the outcomes of Play Therapy?
Through Play Therapy, children will learn:
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To respect themselves
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That their feelings are acceptable
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To express their feelings responsibly
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To assume responsibility for themselves
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To be creative and resourceful in confronting problems
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Self-control and self-direction
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To accept themselves
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To make choices and to be responsible for their own choices
Play Therapy is suitable for children 5 to 12 years old.
“Play Therapy at Morning Star has been very effective in helping my son to face his fear of examinations and school. Through a short few weeks of sessions, his therapist May has helped us to become aware and understand how he sees the stress he is facing. I am very grateful that the techniques that she has shared have helped him to manage his fears and tackle his year end exams bravely. Thank you Morning Star!”
Ms A., Mother