Welcome to Willows and Rainbows Play Therapy
Play Therapy for Children 4-12
1.
What is Play Therapy?
Children often don’t have the words to explain how they feel . They can express themselves better through play and art.
Play therapy is an opportunity given to a child to “play out” feelings and problems and overcome emotional difficulties.
Through play, children can safely act out thoughts and feelings which can be more difficult to express with words.
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Play Therapy has a therapeutic objective and a method. It uses a variety of play and creative arts techniques to alleviate emotional issues.
It aims to help children to help themselves .
2.
Benefits of Play
Play is the most universal of all languages and a natural medium of self -expression. It is essential for the development of children. It helps develop motor skills and coordination and is a chance to learn social norms and develop social skills. Play leads to better understanding of the world.
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Play:
• Helps express, explore and understand feelings.
• Helps to develop new coping strategies.
• Promotes healing and resilience.
• Develops confidence and independence.
• Increases self -awareness and self -esteem.
• Improves concentration.
• Helps children benefit from learning.
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3.
What happens during a session?
The therapist:
• Sets the stage and conditions for healing by creating a safe, trusting and caring environment.
• Is non -judgemental and tolerates all feelings.
• Let children play out feelings freely with no pressure to change.
• Matches the child’s energy and reflect so the child gains insight into their behaviour.
• Assures consistency and confidentiality.
• Give tools for self - empowerment.
4.
The toolkit and sessions
Toolkit:
• Sand
• Music
• Art and Crafts
• Clay
• Creative Visualisation
• Therapeutic Stories
• Drama
• Dance and Movement
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Sessions
• Same day
• Same time,
• Same room
• Same toolkit
• 40 minutes.
Consistency is crucial.
Sessions are confidential . Your child might want to talk about the sessions but can choose not to.
My Approach
My approach is centered around fostering emotional resilience in children. I strongly believe in the power of play as a tool for healing and growth, and am dedicated to creating a supportive, non-judgemental and accepting environment for every child.
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Through play, children are provided with a safe and nurturing environment to express and explore their emotions.
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I work with children using an Integrative Holistic Play Therapy approach. Children choose from the mediums in the room, and through metaphor and play, they start to make sense of their feelings and experiences and begin to heal and grow.
When appropriate, I used more directive interventions to deepen their psychological processes.
About Me
My name is Rebecca Poinot and I am committed to making a positive impact on the emotional well-being of children and families.
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Upon completion of my Masters in Psychology in France, I moved to England in 2014 and completed a certificate in counselling.
I subsequently trained with PTUK and follow their ethical framework.
I completed the Play Therapy Diploma with Distinction, and have over 500 hours of experience of working with children from 5 to 11 years old, presenting with a variety of profiles and conditions, from anxiety to depression and history of trauma.
