Frequently Asked Questions
What is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy supports children’s emotional wellbeing through play and creativity. Children don’t always have the words to explain their feelings or experiences. Play offers another way to communicate, explore difficulties and feel understood within a supportive therapeutic relationship.
What can Play Therapy help with?
Families may seek support for anxiety, grief and loss, low self-esteem, friendship difficulties, family changes, overwhelming feelings or distressing experiences. Sometimes a change in behaviour is the first sign that a child is finding something difficult.
An initial consultation helps us consider your child’s needs and whether Play Therapy is suitable.
What age group do you work with?
I offer Play Therapy for children aged 4 to 12 years. Suitability is considered individually, taking account of your child’s needs and development.
Does my child need a diagnosis or a professional referral?
No. Parents and guardians can contact me directly, and your child does not need a diagnosis. Referrals are also welcome from schools and other professionals, with parents or guardians involved in the process.
What approach do you use?
I practise the Integrative Holistic Model of Play Therapy. This approach draws on different therapeutic ideas and creative methods, responding to each child’s individual needs.
“Holistic” means considering the whole child – their feelings, development, relationships, physical experiences and the world around them. A steady presence and responsive connection are central to my work.
What happens in the playroom?
Children have access to materials such as sand, miniature figures, art, clay, puppets, musical instruments and role-play toys.
Your child can explore these in their own way. I follow their pace and respond therapeutically, offering additional support or structure when appropriate. Clear, consistent boundaries help the space feel safe and predictable.
How is Play Therapy different from ordinary play?
Play is an important part of every child’s life. In Play Therapy, it also becomes a way to explore feelings and experiences within a therapeutic relationship.
Although the activities may look familiar – drawing, playing in sand or using puppets – the therapist responds with a particular purpose: to support the child’s emotional wellbeing. My clinical training helps me recognise and respond to emotional themes while respecting your child’s pace and choices.
The consistent space, clear boundaries and relationship with the therapist allow children to explore difficult feelings without needing to explain them in words.
Does my child have to talk about what is troubling them?
No. Children can communicate through play, movement, creativity, words or a combination of these. They are not pressured to explain their play or talk about difficult experiences before they are ready.
What happens before therapy begins?
We begin with a parent or guardian consultation, without your child present, to discuss your concerns, your child’s background and your hopes for support.
We also discuss consent, confidentiality, practical arrangements and any other services your child is receiving. Questionnaires can help us understand their needs and review progress.
How long are sessions, and how often do they happen?
Individual sessions last 40 minutes and take place weekly at the same time. Consistency helps children build trust and become familiar with the therapeutic space.
How many sessions will my child need?
There is no fixed number that suits every child. We agree an initial plan and review progress together.
Some children need a shorter period of support; others benefit from longer work. Endings are planned carefully so your child has time to prepare.
Do parents attend the child’s sessions?
No. Individual sessions take place with just your child and me in the playroom. Parents and guardians remain involved through consultations and review meetings.
If separation feels difficult for your child, we agree a sensitive approach to help them feel comfortable entering the playroom.
Will I be told what my child says or does?
No. I do not routinely share the specific details of what your child says or does in sessions. Protecting their privacy helps them develop trust and express themselves freely.
At review meetings, we discuss progress, general themes and ways to support your child at home. These are not detailed accounts of individual sessions. Your observations and concerns are also an important part of these conversations.
Information may need to be shared where safeguarding concerns arise, as explained before therapy begins.
Is Play Therapy confidential?
Confidentiality is central to my practice, but it is not absolute. If concerns arise about a child’s safety or someone being at risk of harm, relevant information may need to be shared with appropriate people or services.
I explain confidentiality and its limits to parents or guardians before therapy begins, and to children in an age-appropriate way.
Will you share information with my child’s teachers?
My therapeutic agreement is with you as the parent or guardian. Where a teacher is involved in a referral, their input would normally be a referral form and questionnaire completed before therapy begins.
Once sessions begin, I do not provide teachers with session details or routine updates. Reviews take place with parents or guardians. You can choose whether to share information from those reviews with your child’s school.
I have worked within Scoil Bhríde for over a year, and staff understand and respect the confidentiality of the playroom. School staff do not have access to therapy records.
Do you discuss your work with a supervisor?
Yes. Regular clinical supervision supports thoughtful, ethical practice. Relevant aspects of the therapeutic work may be discussed confidentially. This is explained as part of the therapy agreement.
How should I explain Play Therapy to my child?
Keep it simple and reassuring. You might say:
“You’re going to spend some time with Anne in the playroom with toys and creative things. You can play, make things or talk. She’s there to help with feelings, and you don’t have to find all the words.”
Present Play Therapy as support – a space where your child can be themselves, feel accepted and explore what matters to them.
Should I ask my child what happened afterwards?
Let your child decide whether to share. You can listen warmly if they want to talk, without pressing for details or interpreting their play.
A simple “It’s lovely to see you” allows you to reconnect without making the session feel like something they need to report on.
What if my child is nervous or does not want to attend?
Please let me know. We can explore what feels difficult and consider how to help your child feel more comfortable. Their willingness to participate matters, and they will not be forced to talk or engage in a particular activity.
Are sessions available through Irish?
Yes. Sessions are available through English or Irish.
Does my child have to attend Scoil Bhríde?
No. An Seomra Spraoi is an independent service. Referrals are welcome from Scoil Bhríde and the wider community, including families, other schools and professionals.
Where is the playroom?
An Seomra Spraoi is located in the infant building on the campus of Scoil Bhríde, Ashlin Road, Midleton, using the Sherpa Kids entrance.
How do I get started?
Please get in touch for an initial conversation. We can discuss your concerns, answer your questions and consider the next steps together.
