Child Centred Play Therapy
Child Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) for children age 3-12yo
Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) is an approach to therapy specifically designed for children. This therapeutic method recognises the unique developmental needs of children and uses play as a natural form for expression and communication.
‘Play is the child’s talk, and the toys are their words.’
CCPT is often used with children who are experiencing difficulties such as trauma, anxiety, behavioural challenges, or issues related to family dynamics. CCPT is suitable for neurodivergent children or those with language difficulties. It provides a developmentally appropriate way for children to process and make sense of their emotions and experiences.
The benefits of play therapy for children include:
- A safe place in which to express their thoughts and feelings.
- Facilitates the development of self esteem, problem-solving and coping skills.
- Supports emotional healing and growth.
- Assists children in making decisions and in accepting responsibility for these.
- Develops a child’s ability to explore and practise social skills.
- Fosters a child’s ability to make friends and to understand the world they live in.
- Allows children to discover their natural, inner resources for healing.
- Encourages children to be confident and focused.
- Fosters imagination and creativity.
- A safe environment for children who find talking difficult.
Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) is one of the most thoroughly researched theoretical models of play therapy in the world and is based on the solid theoretical Person-Centred counselling model of Carl Rogers.