Theraplay
A 10-to-12 week, one-to-one play-based therapeutic programme designed to support a child and carer to form positive and healthy attachments and relationships. This home-based programme is a structured form of nurturing play which is led and organised by the adult whilst being responsive to the child. The carer and child are supported to further develop their relationship and trust in one another and other future relationships. The child’s social and emotional confidence is also developed. Delivered by trained practitioners as part of Bright Start Children’s Centre Services.
Theraplay is particularly useful for:
• children who need to build confidence in their relationships or having difficulty expressing their emotions
• fostered and adopted children
• children cared for under special guardianship arrangements (SGO).
What is Theraplay?
Strong attachment between the child and the important adults in their life is the basis of lifelong good mental health and in developing resilience to challenge.
Theraplay uses activities that meet the 4 areas felt to be most important in healthy “good enough” child/parent relationships: Structure, Engagement, Nurture and Challenge
Theraplay promotes the use of positive touch as a way of connecting with the child and supporting them to become better regulated. When a child is well regulated they can adapt their behaviour to different situations and can manage their emotions by communicating them or learning to calm themselves when upset, angry or frustrated.
Who can Theraplay help?
- Parents who are struggling to feel connected and attached to their child
- Children who struggle to make secure attachments to their parents/carers and their peers
- Children who have low self-esteem
- Children who find it difficult to let an adult be in charge, follow routines and boundaries and listen to direction
- Children who experience strong emotions and find it difficult to calm themselves e.g. very angry or anxious, hyperactive or withdrawn
- Children who struggle to manage their behaviour
- Children who lack joyfulness and playfulness
- Children who have experienced early trauma or loss e.g. absence of parent/carers; postnatal depression; parental conflict or domestic abuse; drug and/or alcohol misuse during pregnancy and/or early years
- Supports children to develop resilience
How does Theraplay Work?
- An initial home visit to meet with you and complete paperwork
- An interactive reflective assessment with you and your child
- A minimum of 10-12 weekly home visits
- Activities that guide the parent/carer and child through playful, fun games, developmentally challenging activities, and tender, nurturing activities.
- Effective communication with other professionals involved with you and your family
- Organising and / or support at Team Around the Child / Family (TAC/F) and other meetings
- Most importantly, Have fun!!