Question 1

What is a Play Therapist?

Accepted Answer

A play therapist is a trained mental health professional who uses play and creative arts as a way to help children express their feelings, process experiences, and work through emotional or behavioral difficulties.

Because children often can’t fully explain their thoughts and emotions with words, play becomes their natural “language.” A play therapist uses toys and other resources to understand and support what the child is going through.

Question 2

What does a Play Therapist do?

Accepted Answer

Play therapists support children in processing their past trauma or challenging feelings in a safe, consistent, environment.

As a play therapist, Chrissie offers children:
A safe, consistent and accepting environment
The opportunity to focus on what is most important to them in a way that does not rush them
The opportunity to find their own solutions, so that lasting change is possible
A confidential space

As a play therapist Chrissie will:
Observe how a child plays to understand their emotions and experiences
Use structured or unstructured play to support healing and problem-solving
Build a safe, trusting relationship so the child feels comfortable expressing themselves authentically

A play therapist gently guides the play to help the child process feelings in a safe way, that is not overwhelming.

They help children “talk” through play instead of words.

Chrissie strives to hear what can't be spoken.

Question 3

How does play therapy help?

Accepted Answer

Play therapy acknowledges that children often play what's on their mind and this can often be seen as challenging or worrying behaviour.

By creating a safe space for children to play out what is important to them, the play therapist is able to support their process so that children can safely explore what they need to.

A playroom is equipped with a number of different tools, including sand, mini-figures, construction toys, art resources, musical instruments, games, clay, books and role-play toys. This means that each child’s process will look different, but ultimately it gives children the opportunity to process their experiences, understand their emotions, build their self-esteem and create positive experiences.

This can reduce anxiety, improve behaviour, and help them feel more confident and secure.

As they feel more understood, seen and heard, positive changes often show up at home and school.

Question 4

What does play therapy help with?

Accepted Answer

There is a wide range of reasons why children attend play therapy; below are a few examples:

feeling anxious, worried, or overwhelmed 
finding it hard to manage emotions like anger or frustration 
low confidence or self esteem, withdrawal
self harming 
consistent bed wetting 
sleep problems
difficulties with behaviour at home or school, unable to follow boundaries 
school avoidance, poor attendance 
challenges with friendships or social situations, bullying 
big life changes such as divorce, moving house, or starting a new school 
experiences of grief, loss or trauma 
abuse (Emotional, Physical, Sexual)
witnessing conflict or domestic abuse 
having had experiences which were frightening, confusing or overwhelming 
difficulties in family relationships

If you are unsure whether play therapy is right  for your child, you're very welcome to get in touch to talk things through.

Question 5

How much does play therapy cost?

Accepted Answer

Play therapy at my private play therapy space in Abingdon is charged at £55/session.

Sessions are 40 minutes.

Fees for play therapy in schools depends upon the location and amount/ length of support you require. Longer group therapy sessions are also available to schools.

I am available to schools for a half or full day.

To work as a peripatetic therapist within schools, privately funded by the parent, the session fee would also take into account the set up and clear away time as well as the location.  (Dependent on the agreement with the school)

Please contact me so I can give you an accurate quote, based on your needs.

Question 6

Can Play Therapists support in schools?

Accepted Answer

Many play therapists work in schools.

I am happy to provide sessions in schools, funded by the school directly or from parents with the schools agreement.

Longer group therapy sessions are also available to schools.

If you are a school interested in Play Therapy, please do get in touch via the contact page or email.

Question 7

How does play therapy differ from talking therapies and ELSA support ?

Accepted Answer

It can be confusing to understand which type of support is right for your child. Although these approaches all aim to support emotional wellbeing they work in very different ways.

Play Therapy does not require talking, children express themselves however they choose through creative media. This is important as children often don't have the words. Through play they can safely explore and process difficult emotions and experiences. The therapist follows the child's lead, helping them make sense of their feelings at their pace. It works with healing through sensory experience, working with the nervous system and the unconscious. A natural 'bottom up' approach - starting with the body and moving towards thinking and understanding once regulation is achieved to do so.

Talking therapy starts with thinking , language and conscious reflection on behaviour, this then influences emotions.  This requires verbal ability and self awareness. For this reason it is more suited to teenagers and adults who may be more able to put their feelings into words. This works from the 'top down' which relies on cognitive skills younger children haven't developed. When in distress this is the area of the brain which shuts off first.

ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) this support takes place in schools and focuses on helping children learn about emotions. Sessions are usually structured and may include activities, discussions or games to build skills like recognising feelings, managing worries, or improving social interactions. While helpful, ELSA is not a therapy - it is more about learning and practising emotional skills rather than exploring deeper feelings to facilitate lasting change.

What does 'bottom- up' and 'top down' approach mean? 
You might hear these terms used when people talk about therapy. they describe how we help children process their feelings and experiences, and is closely linked to how the brain works.

It can help to think about the brain in two parts : 
The feeling brain (lower part) manages emotions, instincts, and safety responses - developed first.
The thinking brain (top part) helps with reasoning, language, and understanding - develops after.
When a child is upset, worried or overwhelmed, their feeling brain takes over and their thinking brain shuts down. It can be impossible for them to explain what's wrong or to 'think things through' as they can't access their thinking brain easily.

Simple reminder: 
Bottom up: helps the child feel safe, then helps them understand. 
Top down: helps the child think and understand, to support their feelings.

Both approaches are valuable. The key is choosing the right one that matches where your child is emotionally and developmentally.

Question 8

Can I attend the sessions with my child?

Accepted Answer

No. Individual play therapy just involves the child and the therapist.

Play therapy provides a safe and confidential space for children to work through their experiences and difficulties. 
Children are free to share details of their sessions with whomever they like, if they choose to.

I agree to not tell others, apart from my clinical supervisor,  what they do or say in their play therapy sessions;
However, should your child speak of anything that suggests that they or someone else is in danger, then confidentiality will be lifted and if necessary appropriate authorities will be contacted. In such circumstances your child will be informed that this will happen and where possible I will discuss concerns with parents first.

Although I cannot share details of your child’s sessions, It is important to share progress and changes seen both in sessions and at home during reviews.

Parents are free to contact me in between sessions if they have any questions or concerns.

I am also able to provide an End of Play Therapy Report upon request, for an additional session fee.

Question 9

How do I make a referral to play therapy?

Accepted Answer

You’ve taken that first important step by looking for professional help. Choosing a Play and Creative Arts Therapist ensures you have a highly skilled clinician that has trained specifically in working with children using the latest theory and research.​

Play therapy can only be undertaken with the consent of the person/s holding legal guardianship of the child.

If you believe your child or a child in your care could benefit from play therapy, please contact me via email or phone. I can answer any questions you have and discuss your needs.  If appropriate I will then provide you with a referral form and contract details.

Question 10

How many sessions will my child need?

Accepted Answer

It's completely natural to want to know how quickly things will improve. While every child is different, its important to understand that play therapy is not a quick solution.

Children need time to build trust and begin to express what's going on for them. Much of this happens gradually, and often in ways that aren't immediately visible.

For this reason, I usually recommend an initial block of 15 weekly sessions. This provides your child with the consistency and time needed to settle into the process and start to make meaningful therapeutic progress.

Why 15 sessions? 
The first sessions are often about building trust and feeling safe. The more severe or complex the difficulties the longer this stage may take. 
As therapy continues, children begin to express and explore their feelings more easily. This can be an exciting, empowering or challenging period-  it is not uncommon to see escalation before improvement due to raising buried emotions. 
Over time, this can lead to positive changes in behaviour, confidence, and emotional wellbeing.

Not having enough sessions can mean that a child has just started to open up and does not have the time to fully work things through.

What if 15 sessions isn't enough? 
15 sessions is often just the starting point for very dysregulated children. At the end of this initial block we will review progress together. At this point we can decide whether:
they have reached a natural ending point or 
further sessions would be helpful.

Sessions can continue in blocks of 6 or 12 with agreement and regular review.

Play therapy is a gradual supportive process. It is a commitment to change.

If you have any questions or concerns about the number of sessions, I'm happy to talk this through with you.

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“The individual has within himself vast resources for self-understanding and for altering his self-concept.” - Rogers

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