Play Therapy typically takes place weekly and sessions are 50min in duration. If you arrive late for a session we will finish at the scheduled time unless there has been an agreed rescheduling of the session time in advance. If I am ever running late I will extend the session to give your child their designated amount of time.

Effective Play Therapy and the therapeutic process relies heavily on a strong therapeutic alliance between the child and their therapist. This relationship is best developed and maintained through regular contact. You can support this process by facilitating your child to attend all weekly sessions. You can help by ensuring that medical appointments, holidays etc are arranged on days that do not clash with Play Therapy. In rare cases where this is not possible, please give me as much notice as possible so that I can plan with your child for the break in their process.

Therapy sessions are scheduled in advance and that time is reserved exclusively for each individual client. Should a session need to be cancelled, 48 hours’ notice is required. If 48 hours’ notice is not given, the full fee will be payable. There is a one time waiver to this policy in the case of sudden illness/emergency.

The play therapist will schedule intake and review sessions (generally after every five/six child sessions) with parent/s to provide support, give or receive updates and to facilitate a working in partnership approach. If the therapist or parent is worried about the child, it is generally useful to discuss this concern so that both can work together to ensure the child’s wellbeing. Regular reviews ensure that both the child and their carers are best supported throughout the process and that important information is shared.

I understand the importance of knowing how your child is doing, and I’ll keep you informed about their progress. After every 5 sessions, I’ll meet with you to share the themes I’m observing and offer guidance on how you can support their growth outside of therapy. However, in child-centred play therapy, we don’t typically discuss the specific details of your child’s play to allow them the freedom to express their feelings without feeling monitored.

In general, therapeutic sessions with children, and associated sessions with parents and carers, are subject to the same confidentiality arrangements as therapeutic sessions with other clients. (An exception to this is where there is a child welfare concern in accordance with Children First legislation).

Although it is ideal for both parents to attend review sessions, this may not always be possible. In such cases it is advised that parents share relevant information. Either parent can contact the therapist at any stage to schedule an appointment should they so wish. The aim of such meetings is to find useful ways to support the child’s therapeutic progress, manage any difficulties, ensure that their needs are being met, and work in their best interest. In cases where parents have difficulty communicating with one another, it is advised that separate meetings are scheduled so that both parents may be involved in their child’s therapeutic process.

The number of sessions required can vary based on your child’s age/developmental stage and the complexity of their presenting issues. We will all work closely together to assess progress and determine the appropriate number of sessions, ensuring that you are both actively involved in this decision.

Termination of therapy needs to be carefully planned. It is always in the child’s best interest to have a series of closing sessions (most often three) rather than a sudden ending. Closing therapy is a process rather than an event. The longer a child has attended therapy, the more closing sessions they will need. Premature ending of therapy can be detrimental to the child and may undo therapeutic progress.

I am more than happy to speak with your child’s teacher and to discuss how the school can support the play therapy process. It can also be very helpful for me to speak with the teacher or any other professionals involved with your child to get a picture of how your child is doing educationally, emotionally, psychologically, and socially. I will need your written consent before speaking with teachers or other professionals involved with your child. I will notify you before I make contact and also provide feedback about what was discussed. If these consultations begin to take a significant amount of time, I will discuss a fee schedule with you prior to continuing discussions.