Play Based Intervention
Pure Hearts is a new company that focuses on structured play therapy to assist your little one with any process that they need to overcome. The structure is used to focus attention, stimulate further activity, give approval, gain information, and set limits. A variety of play material is used to create the play situation, attempting to elicit, stimulate and intrude upon the child’s subconscious, hidden processes, and overt behavior to work through a therapeutic process.
What is the goal of Play Based Intervention?
Play Based Intervention is also called Play Therapy. The focus of play therapy is to bring symptom relief and a central theme underlying the child’s difficulties, the therapist develops a plan for each session, designs specific structured activities, and selects appropriate play material that will address the child’s symptoms and difficulties.
When does a child need Play Based Intervention?
Any child will benefit from play therapy.
Some situations do have a specific play theme that need to be worked through for example aggression, attachment, competition, control, cooperation, traumatic events, death and grief, fears, fixing something that has been broken or damaged, gender, good vs evil (especially in religion), identity, limit testing, mastering developmental skills and tasks, need for approval or nurture, power, problem solving, regression (acting younger than they are), replay of real life situations, school situations, sexuality, social cues and rules, transitions from one phase or situation to the next, vulnerability, win/lose situations etc.
Some emotional awareness training is involved in all therapeutic processes.
The child will be empowered, helped to resolve issues, and trained in everyday emotional situations.
The therapeutic power of play includes facilitating communication to help the child express themselves, gain access to their unconsciousness, and have access to direct teaching and indirect teaching. Play therapy also fosters emotional wellness where the child can get closure on certain emotions and events, let their bodies react naturally to their emotions, create more positive emotions, counter conditioning negative fears, handle stress better etc.
Play also enhances social relationships through the therapeutic relationship itself, attachment, increasing the sense of self and increasing their awareness and empathy of those around them.
Play also increases the child’s personal strengths through creative problem solving, helping them become more resilient to situations that are out of their control, moral development, accelerating their psychological development, increasing their self-regulation and finally increasing their self-esteem.
How does a Play Therapy Session work at Pure Hearts?
Sessions will be held in Afrikaans or English.
During the first session an informal assessment will be done for children between the age of 4 to 7 years of old, a family tree diagram will be curated, and the counsellor and the child will have a chance to get to know one another better.
If the child is 7+ years old, the informal assessment is not necessary and the initial session will be a “free-play” session that will assist the counsellor and the child to get to know one another.
All sessions are held privately where the child and the play therapist will be in the playroom. There is a spacious and comfortable waiting area for the parent/guardian of the child to wait during the time of the session.
No parent/guardian will be allowed in the playroom during sessions.
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The parent/caregiver will receive a formal contract during the first session which is important for administrative purposes. The contract contains ALL the information pertaining to the practice – all children aged 12+ will also receive their own adolescent consent form based on Law.
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After each session the parent/guardian will receive an informal summary of the session, possible “homework” to do with the child to ensure the therapeutic process will be a success and the plans for the coming sessions.
Please note that all sessions are confidential between the counsellor and the child and no information will be shared without the child’s consent unless the child needs to be referred, the child is in danger or the child is going to put other lives (including their own) in danger.
A play therapy process is usually from 6 – 10 sessions to get the ultimate success and train the child to have strong coping mechanisms.
How do I start the process of Play Based Intervention for my child?
1. Enquire information via email or send a WhatsApp to our number - please ensure you add your name, the name of your child and your child's age
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2. Upon your enquiry a conditions of service and consent contract will be mailed to you. Before any child will be booked for a session we will need a signed conditions of service contract. A possible date and time will be shared for the initial session. Please confirm as soon as possible.
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In the case of working with minors we are obligated by law to have both the minor’s parents/legal guardians sign a consent form.
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3. Billing information will be sent - please note that we do have card facilities at the practice and we prefer to receive payment per session.
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An information pack will also be provided during the initial session to obtain background information and emergency contact information.
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Feel free to book a session below:
Book a Session
Curro Bankenveld Preschool
Silver Lane, Reyno Rif
Witbank
1039
072 246 7483
