Welcome to the wonderful world of Bird Rock Play Therapy

At times in a child’s life, they may face challenges with their emotions and behaviors that can have an impact on their own lives and those around them. Play Therapy offers a solution. The therapeutic relationship between the therapist and child is a vital component of Play Therapy. A nurturing, warm, and accepting therapeutic relationship lays the groundwork for a successful therapy experience. This relationship enables children to engage through their innate mode of communication: play. Landreth eloquently captures this essence with the phrase, “birds fly, fish swim, children play.”

Bratton (2006) notes, “play allows children to express, organize, and master their world.” Play therapy aims to aid children in preventing or resolving behavioral, emotional, and social challenges to foster healthy development through specialized play techniques, methods, and skills. It provides children with the opportunity to understand themselves, others, and their environment by offering support, building resilience, and enhancing communication skills. This understanding aids in processing difficult experiences or situations. Furthermore, play therapy can guide children in altering their behaviors, reshaping their self-perception, and fostering healthy relationships (Bapt, 2014).

Play Therapy can help children with:

• ADHD

• ASD

• Anxiety Problems

• Chronic illness or disability

• Issues relating to parent’s or sibling’s health

• Children placed in out of home care or in permanent care

• Trauma related difficulties

• School related difficulties

• Loss or bereavement

• Divorce or separation

• Emotional regulation

• Selective mutism

• Sleeping, toileting or eating difficulties

• Aggression and anger difficulties

• Low self esteem​

"Scientists have recently determined that it takes approximately 400 repetitions to create a new synapse in the brain - unless it is done with play, in which case, it takes between 10 to 20 repetitions!"

- Dr Karyn Purvis