How do I find a counsellor for my child
Ask people that you trust for child counsellor referrals e.g. family members, friends, school parents,  school counsellor, doctor
Check online listings or directories such as www.counsellingbc.com/ or  Check your local phone book under “Counselling”.

What is play therapy?
Play Therapy is a counselling method which helps children process confusing feelings and difficult events in their life. Play therapy uses children’s natural means of communication; namely play. It is a healing process which provides children with a safe and nurturing environment in which to express themselves.

“in play therapy toys serve as children’s words and play as their language.” 
  - Garry Landreth. 


What happens during play therapy sessions?
Toys (such as clay, sand, paint, crayons, dolls, etc.) in the playroom make the child feel at home and serve as an instrument of communication between the child and the therapist. The initial focus of the therapy is on building a relationship between the child and the therapist.

The therapist uses specific techniques to assess how the child experience his or her world and how he or she communicates and reacts to the events and people in his or her world. The therapist leads the child to become aware of what he or she is feeling andprovides the child with the opportunity to express these feelings.

Throughout the therapy the child is empowered and supported to learn more about him/herself and to talk about things that are scary or painful, to be self-supportive and to experiment with new behaviour.

Who can benefit from play therapy?
Play Therapy can be useful for any child of 4 years and above. It can help your child to become aware of feelings and how these feelings manifest in behaviour.

Play therapy can address issues related to:
Self concept & self esteem
Making friends
Adapting to new situations 
Symptomatic behavior (stomach or headaches, etc.)
Trauma 
Fear and anxiety 
Bed-wetting 
Nightmares 
Aggressive behaviour or rage 
Shyness
Grief
ADD & ADHD
Autism spectrum

How can play therapy help my child?
Play therapy will help your child:

• deal with painful emotional issues, 
• achieve some congruence with regard to thoughts, emotions and behaviours.
• feel good about themselves.
• accept their limitations and strengths and to feel okay about them.
• change behaviours that have negative consequences.
• function comfortably and adaptively within his/her environment.
• maximize the opportunity to pursue developmental milestones.

How can parents participate in play therapy? 
The parents or caregivers play a very important role in therapy as they are such an important part of the child’s world. They are able to support the child in his process of becoming a stronger person. The therapist works closely with the parents or caregivers and empowers them by means of guidelines to understand and deal with the child. It is important for the parent to understand that the child’s symptoms may get worse before they get better, as therapy can be like opening a can of worms. Your child will need your support during this time. Please do not pressure your child into telling you what happened in the therapy session. The child may tell you if he or she wishes, but if your child does not want to share the experience, please respect your child’s wishes.

What do I tell my child before taking him/her to play therapy?
Before taking a child for play therapy, tell the child that he/she is going to a play therapist that is going to help him/her understand his/her feelings while he/she paints, draws, tells stories, listens to music, plays with a ball or makes something out of clay. Explain that it helps to talk about his/her feelings, because if he/she keeps it all inside and ignore what he/she is feeling, he might begin to feel that he/she wants to explode! Or he/she might become confused or unhappy. He/she does not have to be scared; the play therapist will not make him/her do anything that he/she does not want to do. There will be no tests and he/she will be able to choose what he/she wants to do and what and when he/she wants to say something.

Is play therapy confidential?
In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist. No information is disclosed without prior written permission from the client.

However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

• Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse. The therapist is required to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person. The therapist is required to notify the police.
• If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.

In the case of child therapy or play therapy the child is awarded the same confidentiality as an adult client would have. I however do provide feedback to parents with permission from the child.