At Okey Dokey, we are dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of every child. Our team of experienced play therapists specialise in providing individualised therapy and parenting support, with a focus on neurodiversity-affirming practices.
What is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is an evidence-based, child-centred approach with a theoretical basis in child development and neuroscience, that provides children the opportunity to explore and process thoughts, feelings and experiences through play in a safe and supportive environment, and in the presence of a trained play therapist.
What Play Therapy approach do our play therapists use?
The Play Therapy model adopted by Okey Dokey is a Humanistic approach.
Humanistic Play Therapy is both non-directive and child-led, providing children with the opportunity to explore their thoughts, feelings and experiences in the presence of a supportive adult, at their own pace, and through play. The therapist takes the child’s lead, and provides support by tracking or describing the child’s play, reflecting on the emotions expressed in the play, and setting limits where needed, to give the child the tools and the space to engage in the process, while respecting the child’s autonomy.
One of the key principles of Humanistic Play Therapy is Unconditional Positive Regard (UPR), the complete and unwavering acceptance of the child as they are, regardless of their history or behaviour. This principle comes from the work of Carl Rogers and person-centred therapy, which has a strong focus on the therapeutic relationship.
Humanistic Play Therapy focusses on the child-therapist relationship and the therapeutic powers of play as being agents of change in the therapeutic process. This acknowledges that play itself has therapeutic qualities, that children will do what they need to heal and develop when given the opportunity, and that play is a child’s natural way to communicate and process experiences.
Why choose Humanistic Play Therapy?
As we have mentioned earlier, Humanistic Play Therapy is a developmentally sensitive approach that provides children with a way to process their emotions, thoughts and experiences through play, rather than being required to talk or engage in structured therapeutic activities set out by the therapist.
In this way, Humanistic Play Therapy is particularly helpful as a therapy approach for children who may not have the words to talk about or explain their experiences or challenges, or who tend to be resistant to directive therapy styles and may have difficulty forming trusting relationships with adults.
Who benefits from Humanistic Play Therapy?
Children aged 3 – 12 years are generally best suited to Humanistic Play Therapy, however adolescents may also find Humanistic Play Therapy helpful in specific circumstances determined by the therapist.
Typically developing children, as well as children with developmental and neurological differences such as intellectual disability, Autism, ADHD, and learning difficulties can benefit from Humanistic Play Therapy.
Reasons to refer a child to Humanistic Play Therapy might include emotional regulation difficulties, social or relationship challenges, anxiety or phobias, and low self-esteem or self-confidence.
Humanistic Play Therapy can also be beneficial for children who have experienced single traumatic events, parental separation or divorce, grief and loss, major medical procedures or other adverse life events that have caused significant distress.
What does Humanistic Play Therapy involve?
Humanistic Play Therapy usually involves four stages: Intake and Assessment; Play Therapy Sessions; Parent Meetings; and Planning for the Program End.
Intake and Assessment
This will involve a session with parents to gather information about the family structure and history, developmental information about the child, and goals for therapy. Then another session in which the therapist will engage in some play and craft activities designed to assess the child’s play skills and gather information about the child’s view of the world. This is also an opportunity for the child and therapist to meet and begin getting to know each other. The therapist may also ask parents to complete some questionnaires to collect more information about the child and their family. Where appropriate, a school or preschool/childcare observation session may also be arranged.
Play Therapy Sessions
Following intake and assessment, play therapy sessions will commence. Sessions usually involve just the child and therapist, with parents waiting outside. However, if a child needs a parent in the therapy room to reduce anxiety, this can be discussed with the therapist so that accommodations can be made. In session, the child will be given the opportunity to play with a variety of materials with the therapist taking the child’s lead and supporting their play. Parents will not be provided with feedback following each session, but will have an opportunity to attend Parent Meetings with the therapist at regular intervals throughout the program to discuss the child’s progress and any concerns.
Parent Meetings
Parent meetings will be scheduled regularly, usually after every 5-6 sessions, to provide parents with an opportunity to share their observations of any changes in their child, ask questions, receive feedback about their child’s progress, and obtain ideas for supporting their child at home.
Planning for the Program End
When the child has progressed to a point that therapy sessions are no longer needed, the therapist will arrange a meeting with parents to reflect on the therapy process and their child’s progress, and discuss ways in which the child can be supported in the future. The child will then be advised in the lead up to the final session with several sessions warning to support the child’s transition. A final assessment session to measure progress, including parents completing questionnaires a second time and a final play session, will then complete the Humanistic Play Therapy sequence.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first session will be an opportunity for your clinician to gather information about your child and family and discuss your concerns prior to starting therapy.
Please bring with you any previous assessments and reports about your child, and any other information you think is relevant.
For your first session, it is preferable that you attend alone to allow you to speak freely about your child without them present. However, if you need to bring your child along, your clinician will provide them with some toys and activities to keep them busy while you talk
When you first arrive at Okey Dokey, please check in with our friendly reception staff. They will let your Clinician know you have arrived and advise you where you can wait.
At your appointment time, your Clinician will come and meet you at reception and take you to a therapy room for your session.
During this session, your Clinician will ask you questions about your child and family to develop an understanding of your child’s needs and how best to support them. The Clinician will ask about pregnancy and your child’s early development, their medical history, their current skills and challenges and your concerns and goals for therapy.
The Clinician will also ask about your family structure, and any major life events impacting your child or family members. Other questions may include your child’s strengths, what they like and dislike, and any special areas of interests.
To assist the Clinician to gather information about your child’s needs, you may be asked to complete some questionnaires. These can usually be taken with you and returned at your next visit.
The Clinician will also give you information about what you and your child can expect from the therapy process, and provide you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
At the end of the session, the Clinician will escort you back to reception, where you can confirm your child’s next appointment and complete payment for the session.
Book a Session Today
Ready to get started? Our compassionate and skilled child psychologists are ready to help your child overcome challenges and thrive. Contact us today to schedule a session.
