PLAY is your child's most natural form of expression
Theraplay®
A child and family therapy for building and enhancing attachment, self-esteem, trust in others and joyful engagement.
Theraplay® is a child and family therapy for enhancing attachment, self-esteem, trust and joyful engagement between a child and their caregiver.
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It is based on the natural patterns of playful, healthy interaction between parent and child and is personal, physical, and fun.
Theraplay interactions focus on four essential qualities found in parent-child relationships: Structure, Engagement, Nurture, and Challenge.
Theraplay sessions create an active, emotional connection between the child and parent or caregiver, resulting in a changed view of the self as worthy and lovable and of relationships as positive and rewarding.
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Theraplay provides new experiences of positive social engagement, reciprocity, play, pleasure, joy and soothing care.
Who is Theraplay suitable for?​
Theraplay is suitable for a wide range of children, especially those facing emotional or behavioral challenges, including:
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Children who have experienced trauma – such as abuse, neglect, or other traumatic events.
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Children with developmental delays – including children who have social, emotional and language delays, including neurodiverse children and families.
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Children with specific behavioral or emotional disorders, such as:
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
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Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
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Children without a specific diagnosis – those who are withdrawn, non-compliant, angry, or struggling with emotional regulation, attachment issues, or mood disorders.
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Theraplay can be particularly effective in helping children improve emotional regulation, strengthen relationships, and develop positive behaviors.
What are the benefits of Theraplay?​
The benefits of Theraplay focus on improving the emotional and behavioral well-being of children through structured play-based activities, and they extend to strengthening the relationship between the child and their caregiver. Here are the key benefits:
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Building Closer Relationships: Theraplay fosters a deeper emotional connection between the child and the caregiver. The activities are designed to create a sense of closeness and bonding through engaging and nurturing play.
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Enhancing Emotional Regulation: The structured nature of Theraplay helps children regulate their emotions more effectively. Children learn to manage their states of arousal and emotions in a safe, supportive environment.
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Improving Social Skills: Children who engage in Theraplay are more likely to feel comfortable around adults and peers, which can improve their ability to interact socially and engage in positive relationships.
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Encouraging Emotional Expression: By participating in play that involves challenge, nurturing, and structure, children can more spontaneously express their feelings in healthy, adaptive ways.
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Caregiver Support: Caregivers are guided on how to be more attuned to their child's emotional state and how to respond in ways that help the child regulate their emotions. This strengthens the overall relationship and helps parents become more effective in supporting their child's development.
Essentially, Theraplay supports children in learning how to connect with others, manage emotions, and engage in positive, expressive interactions—all within a safe and structured environment that promotes growth
What is involved in Theraplay?​
Families participate in Theraplay for 18-22 weekly sessions where activities are initially led by the therapist. Over time, caregivers are guided to lead session activities with minimal support.
The sessions are designed to be fun, physical, personal, and interactive and replicate the natural, healthy interactions between parents and young children.
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Sessions are video recorded so that parent and therapist can review together during parent reviews, reflecting and celebrating goals achieved and progress made.
Through guided play children are supported to see relationships with their caregiver as safe, predictable, warm and secure. It also assists children to stay regulated as activities are aimed within a child's window of tolerance. Theraplay structured activities involve healthy levels of challenge, nurture and engagement tailored to support a child's social and emotional development.
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