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Play therapy and EMDR for toddlers and children, East Sussex, UK

Play-based therapy for children...

Unlike adults, young children are not likely to sit down and talk about their problems. Their language is play! Doing therapy through play means that the therapist creates a safe space for the child to express themselves, where they feel free to play out anything that they are struggling to process or that has upset, angered or scared them. Children naturally use toys and creative materials to symbolically express what they can't articulate with words.

The job of the play therapist is to engage the child at whatever developmental level they are presenting, to contain big emotions, and to help children to make sense of difficult experiences. Like adult therapy, children need time to feel safe with the therapist before they explore difficult experiences, and for this reason, we recommend a minimum of 20 sessions.
How do you know if your child needs therapy?

Most children, in a safe, nurturing environment, will work through difficult experiences and emotions without professional intervention. Sometimes, however, processing can become stuck, and this is normally seen in children in either very difficult or very compliant behaviour. If your child seems out of control, overly angry or aggressive, "naughty" or defiant, or alternatively is withdrawn, day-dreamy, too "good" or overly people pleasing, this could indicate a problem. Sometimes children's struggles show up in physical complaints - lots of tummy aches or headaches, withholding their poo, bedwetting, or other physical issues that can't be explained by their doctors. Whatever your child is struggling with, give us a shout and we can talk through it and see how we can help.

Possible signs of trauma in 3-5 year old's

Regression
Constipation or diarrhea
Separation anxiety
Issues saying or hearing "no"
Depression
Nightmares
Developmental delay
Rage
Lack of cooperation
Difficulty with transitions
Wetting/soiling
Repetitive behaviours/play
Aggression with friends/pets
Clingy
Day-dreaming / dissociation
Possible signs of trauma in 6-8 year old's

School issues
Attention problems
Social problems
Self-blame
Self-hatred
Low self-esteem
Lying
Stealing
Being mean to children and animals
Eating disorders
Hoarding
Compulsive behaviours
Aggression
Withdrawal
Day-dreaming / dissociation

Possible signs of trauma in 8-12 year old's

School problems
Smoking, drinking, drugs
Attention problems
Rejecting compliments
Withdrawal
Denial of needs
Nail biting
Eating disorders
Mistrust of self, feelings and others
Lying
Stealing
Depression
Lack of creativity/curiosity
Loneliness
Shame
Unresolvable fears
Impulsivity
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© Mia Von Scha 2012