Company Number: 7538792
Play Therapy
The Windfall Centre’s team of BAPT Play Therapists provide short and long term programmes of Play Therapy for children and young people.
We involve caregivers and other family members in an inclusive and flexible approach that recognises that every child experiences their world through a complex network of relationships.
Given that one out of every ten children in Wales will experience a mental health difficulty, and that half of all mental health problems in the UK begin by the age of 14 (National Assembly of Wales, Children, Young People and Education Committee, 2018), alongside the compounding impact of Covid 19 on mental health in Wales, we are so pleased to be able to offer this effective and robust treatment model for children, young people and their families in mid and West Wales.
Play Therapy is a proven and effective modality supporting clients of all ages facing a vast array of challenges and adversity. These may include experiences of abuse, trauma, bereavement and loss, domestic violence and family breakdown.
Play Therapy is effective due to the combined effects of the communicative and healing powers of play and the acceptance and containment embedded in the client’s relationship with the Play Therapist. The child leads the play and the Play Therapist follows, providing safety and containment, regulating and supporting the child’s self expression through the symbols and metaphors of play. Sometimes a more structured approach supports the child to explore specific concerns, or provides a safe space for moving on if the child has become stuck in their play.
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Children express their feelings and communicate their experiences through play. They can work through trauma and try out different ideas and solutions for their dilemmas and gain mastery and confidence through play. Children do this naturally as part of their developmental journey, but when circumstances overwhelm the child’s resources, making them feel anxious and unsafe, they cannot ‘play it out’ without the support and skills of an empathetic and skilled Play Therapist who understands the developmental and mental health needs of the child. The in-depth therapeutic relationship promotes positive change in the child by supporting them to help themselves whilst expanding their capacity and resilience.
Our team of BAPT Play Therapists work closely with parents/carers and we offer attachment focused interventions that attend to the parent & child relationship. See the information section: Filial Therapy and Working with Families.
We also work closely with professionals, offering advice and support to school staff, social work teams and others working for and on behalf of children at risk. Our team is trained to work with the developmental and mental health needs of children and young people. Our work is underpinned by intensive training, high levels of clinical supervision personal therapy and rigorous continuing professional development.
Dyadic Play Therapy
Dyadic Play Therapy employs the same ethos and practice as non-directive Play Therapy in sessions held with both a qualified Play Therapist and the parent or carer present and engaged in play with the child. The parent or carer is prepared and supported to respond therapeutically to the child in the playroom, with the Play Therapist holding the process and assisting when needed. There are separate sessions between the Play Therapist and parent or carer before and then alongside those with the child. Engaging both the child and caregiver within the process of therapy will often achieve a swift and more enduring progress.
E has benefitted enormously. She had a safe space that was hers alone to express herself and she felt so comfortable. In an often troubled house it has been a huge deal to her emotional wellbeing.
(What I liked about Play therapy was)- Talking about my feelings
The professionals who we’ve worked with have been well-informed and supportive
I do not know where me and my children would be without The Windfall. I mean that totally. The advice, support and guidance have been invaluable.
We appreciated the therapists time and input.
O is brighter. She is more up for trying potentially challenging things e.g going out to meet friends, eating veg… She is calmer and better able to control her emotions
We appreciated all the insights and having all our questions answered
Certifications
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The Windfall Centre Play Therapy team are accredited members of the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT) which is an organisation recognised and accredited by the Professional Standards Association (PSA). BAPT Play TherapistsTM are trained to Masters level and have to maintain annual records of clinical supervision and professional development.