Theraplay is a play-based therapeutic approach designed to enhance the emotional well-being of children and their families. Theraplay is grounded in attachment theory and the primary goals of this intervention is to help children build secure attachments and develop essential emotional skills for healthy development.
Theraplay practitioners use four dimensions to set goals for therapy, and these are based on the principles of positive parent-child interactions.
Structure: Theraplay sessions are structured and predictable, providing a sense of safety for children.
Engagement: Therapists use playful activities to connect with children and draw them into interactions.
Nurture: Co-regulating interactions, such as physical touch and eye contact, help children feel secure and appreciated.
Challenge: Activities are planned to gently challenge children to build their self-esteem and resilience.
Where Theraplay can help?
Theraplay can be considered as a support for children when it has been identified that they are needing support in some of the following areas:
Emotional Regulation: Through structured play and nurturing interactions, children learn to manage and express their emotions effectively.
Stronger Parent-Child Relationships: Parents and caregivers learn how to connect with their children on a deeper emotional level, promoting trust and understanding, leading to more secure attachments.
Improved communication and empathy: Theraplay techniques can enhance family communication, reduce conflicts, and foster a more harmonious home environment.
Great for Neurodivergent Children: Theraplay can offer several advantages for neurodivergent children, including:
- Improved social confidence through Theraplay’s structured play and engagement techniques.
- Theraplay activities often involve sensory elements, which can be particularly beneficial for children with specific sensory preferences.
Through engaging and structured activities, Theraplay can help children with ADHD. For example:
- Theraplay’s nurturing and challenging dimensions can aid children in developing self-regulation skills, enabling them to better manage impulsive behaviours.
- Success in Theraplay activities can boost a child’s self-esteem and confidence, which can be particularly valuable for those with ADHD, who may experience frustration and self-doubt.
Considerations for children and families with experiences of trauma:
Children who have experienced trauma often struggle with trust, emotional regulation, and forming secure attachments. Theraplay therapists are trained to provide trauma-informed care, creating a safe and secure environment where children can begin to heal from their traumatic experiences. Theraplay’s focus on nurturing and building secure attachments can help children who have experienced trauma feel safe with caregivers and therapists.
What to expect
When incorporating Theraplay into the treatment plans for neurodivergent children, or those with a history of trauma, it’s essential to work with trained therapists who can tailor sessions to meet the specific needs of each child, taking into account their unique challenges and strengths.
Theraplay is not solely an intervention for therapists and children; it actively involves parents and caregivers in the therapeutic process. This collaborative approach recognises that family dynamics play a significant role in a child’s development and emotional well-being.
Parents and caregivers learn Theraplay techniques during sessions, which they can then apply in their daily interactions with their child. This not only deepens the parent-child bond but also empowers parents to continue the therapeutic work at home.
Theraplay emphasises the parent or caregiver as the child’s “secure base.” By providing a secure, nurturing presence, parents create an environment where the child feels safe to explore and engage in therapeutic activities.
Parents and caregivers provide emotional support and encouragement throughout the Theraplay process, reinforcing positive behaviours and helping their child develop self-esteem and confidence.
Incorporating parents and caregivers into the Theraplay process not only enhances the effectiveness of therapy but also empowers families to create lasting positive changes. It’s important for parents and caregivers to actively engage in therapy and maintain open communication with their Theraplay therapist to ensure the best possible outcomes for their child. By focusing on the well-being of both children and families, it paves the way for healthier relationships and emotional growth.
Kate Hall is an experienced Social Worker, Play Therapist and Theraplay provider. Kate works at Sum of Us Kids on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
If you are interested in finding out more about Theraplay and whether it’s a good match for you and your child, let us know and we’ll put you in touch with Kate 🙂
