Play therapist

I have found out that hospitals have play therapist that pacifically deal with helping children with play be it with drama, football, music etc. Possible the game that i create could be used in these sessions to help children with problerms they maybe having.

The team of Hospital Play Specialists at The Children’s Trust are responsible for assessing the play and leisure needs of each child and then devising a specific programme tailored to meet that child’s emotional, social and developmental needs.

Children access individual play sessions with goals such as:

• the reduction of pre and post-procedural anxiety, for example in relation to injections, hospital visits etc;
• the provision of an emotional outlet for feelings of anger or frustration;
• the achievement of developmental goals and the regaining of skills and confidence that have been lost due to illness, injury and hospitalisation;
• distraction play, alongside medical and therapy sessions, such as the giving of injections or physiotherapy.

Hospital Play Specialists also organise group sessions to enable the children to experience social play such as:

• football skills;
• story clubs;
• drama;
• music.

A comprehensive outings programme is organised ny the Leisure and Activities Coordinator to enable children to maintain contact with the local community and reduce possible institutional effects that are part of a residential programme. The Hospital Play Specialists also support school sessions where appropriate and a holiday club during school holidays.

The team of Hospital Play Specialists is line-managed and supervised by the Play Therapist.

The Hospital Play Specialists are very much part of the therapeutic team. They aim to support children so they are motivated and energised to work hard in therapy sessions by supporting their emotional needs. They also provide support to the nursing and care team.

Play Therapy promotes resilience by helping children to explore their feelings, to express themselves and to make sense of their life experiences. Play is children’s natural medium for learning, communicating and exploring their worlds. Emotional recovery from distressing life experiences can thus be facilitated by a Play Therapist allowing a child to express themselves via play in a safe, secure and trusting environment.

Conventional talking therapies may be inappropriate for children and young people who struggle to put their feelings into words. Play Therapy allows them the opportunity to explore and understand these feelings and can enable them to shift their perspective so they are less likely to internalise blame. The resulting empowerment and increased self-esteem can be the springboard to help the child to cope more effectively with their difficulties.