
“The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect, but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity.” by Carl Gustav Jung
創造某些新的東西,並不是由智力完成的,而是內在必須的遊戲本能實現的。
Categories of Therapy:
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Creative Art and Play Therapy
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Social Thinking
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Creative Journal
Creative Art and Play Therapy
Play is the natural language of the child. Some children find it hard to explain what is troubling them, so they use play to communicate their thoughts, feelings and experiences through carefully selected toys in a specially designed playroom with a play therapist. Through the process of creative art and play therapy, children could develop strategies to help themselves and build up their own resilience. Play therapy supports children, adolescents and adults.
Children, adolescents and adults can be troubled by many experiences such as difficulties at school, illness, family changes, trauma, lack of friends, bullying and so on. These "troubles" or stress can hurt their physiological and psychological development. They can also lead to difficulty in day to day functioning and learning at school, home, and with life in general. Some of them cope well with their troubles, but some of them express their anxieties and needs through psychosomatic symptoms such as headache, stomachache, bowel movement problems, vomiting, poor appetite, sleeping problems, rash…without a physiological cause. Some express themselves through irregular behaviors such as being clingy, not wanting to go outside or school, outburst of anger and even aggression. Play Therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach developed to help children and adolescents to cope with stress and a variety of emotional and behavioral issues. A safe playroom is created to allow them to play with a few necessary limits so that he/she can feel secure to process their journey of healing on many levels. A qualified play therapist works with them to explore and resolve her/his problems. During the process of play therapy, they will be building strategies to cope with the difficulties they are facing in real life, which they cannot change. This process provides them with support for the development of a healthier brain, healthier behaviors, better self-confidence and a more positive view of their future life.
How to proceed to start the the Play Therapy
Parent interview Before the child or adolescent comes for their first visit, the therapist will meet with the parent for a parent session which usually lasts for an hour. The parents will have the opportunity to talk about their child, and talk about any concerns that they may want to address and what goals they would like to accomplish. It gives them and the therapist time to build a trusting relationship. They will also be asked to complete an interview form and an assessment. The interview form gives the therapist a better understanding of their child's development and background so as to give the best support that he/she needs. The assessment of their child helps us assess their child's emotional and behavioral well-being. All information provided will be kept confidential. Parent interview will be arranged at some intervals during the play therapy sessions. First time visit The first time visit for a child, adolescent and adult is usually around 40 minutes to an hour depending on the age. During this visit, the therapist will explain to the child or adolescent what happens in the "playroom". They will have free access to a roomful of toys and materials. The therapist will explain that to keep the room safe, limits need to be set as and when needed. This visit will give them the opportunity to meet the therapist and explore the room and its contents.
Play Therapy session The child, adolescent or adult will come once a week, for usually 12 weeks (number of sessions are being depended on the assessment outcome). Each visit will typically last for 40 minutes to an hour, depending on the age. This will ensure consistency is established and that they feel safe. During each visit, they will be given the opportunity to play out what is troubling them; they will be given the chance to understand their muddled feelings, so that they can increase their coping skills needed to succeed in life.
