How much does Play Therapy cost?
Jade Williams can offer costing information for parents/carers and for schools and organisation. This includes individual session rates as well as half or full day rates for schools and organisation. Please contact Jade Williams directly for more information.
What can I, as a parent/carer, do to help with Play Therapy?
Parents and carers are very important in supporting their child through the Play Therapy process. To help you can:
- Be consistent and encouraging to your child about attending sessions regularly.
- Resist the urge to ask your child what they did, as this will put pressure on them to comment on something they may have difficulty understanding themselves.
- Please do not ask your child to ‘be good’ or check they have been. Therapy is not about being ‘good’ or ‘bad’ and your child must feel free to express ‘bad’ feelings in an uncensored way.
- Don’t insist that your child tell Jade certain things: it is their time and they must feel free to express themselves at their own pace. Instead you can tell your concerns to Jade during review meetings or prior to sessions via email.
- During any therapeutic intervention behaviour may appear to get worse before it gets better – please tell Jade if you have any concerns.
Why can’t I go in to the room while Play Therapy is taking place?
Sometimes Play Therapy is carried out in a shared space at home or at school. It is important that while a session is underway other people do not enter the space, so that the child does not feel Play Therapy could be entered in on without warning. A secure and private space helps the child to feel safe enough to express themselves.
Why can children still attend Play Therapy when their behaviour has been difficult?
Due to Play Therapy being a unique experience for many children they usually enjoy the sessions and need the opportunity to explore their feelings. When children are being disruptive or challenging it may feel like Play Therapy is a reward for this behaviour. However, it is very important that children feel secure in the knowledge that the Play Therapy space will be available to them each week and is not contingent on their behaviour. In fact, it is often most important that children attend during periods where their behaviour is challenging so Jade can help them process their feelings and thoughts.
Why can’t the Play Therapist tell me exact details of the Play Therapy sessions?
Confidentiality is a key element of the Play Therapy process and this means that Jade must maintain the child’s privacy (except if Jade believes the child or someone else is at risk). Without confidentiality the child would not be able to trust Jade and this could affect the outcomes of Play Therapy. Jade will meet with parents/carers (and where appropriate staff from referring organisations) to receive updates on the child and to inform the child’s support network on how the child is getting along in play therapy.
How long does Play Therapy take?
Some children will respond to a short-term intervention, which is usually about 12 sessions. However, when problems have persisted for a long time or are complicated a longer-term intervention may be required. Sessions usually take place once a week at the same place and time to help developing a trusting relationship. Unplanned missed sessions may disrupt the progress.