Play & Creative Arts Therapy
Service for Schools
in South Manchester
Play Therapy Manchester is a therapy service for schools and community provisions in South Manchester, dedicated to supporting the mental health and emotional well-being of children and young people, empowering disengaged learners to equip themselves for their environments and life ahead.
The Power of
Play & Creativity
Broadly defined as a person's conscious and unconscious exploration of environment, play is a form of expression that is accessed from birth and spans throughout life; play is the child's natural medium of self-expression, fundamental to healthy development, tapping into and developing the innate affinity for exploration, imagination and decision-making. In the therapeutic setting, play and creative arts are used alongside verbal processes, where applicable, to bridge the gap between emotional perplexity and healing. This approach allows children to explore what are often complex feelings, build resilience and develop healthy coping mechanisms in a safe, child-led environment where they feel seen and heard.
Approach
At Play Therapy Manchester, the child is placed at the centre of the work. Following the child's lead, a non-judgemental environment is cultivated, rooted in trust. Evidence-based techniques are designed to foster autonomous growth and address social, emotional and mental health difficulties. The approach doesn't just manage symptoms; it builds long-term resilience, empowering children to navigate life's challenges with greater confidence and clarity, subsequently increasing engagement within the home and school environments and broadening access to learning.
Weekly sessions provide a dedicated space where play and creative arts - from painting and clay to sandplay and storytelling - serve as tools for emotional expression. Specialised approaches can be offered, through music-centred work and songwriting, for those who may be more suited to such mediums.
Specialist Support
for Schools
Play Therapy Manchester partners with schools to deliver research-informed interventions, underpinned by psychological theory and neurobiological evidence. These services aim to support self-expression, help alleviate SEMH difficulties, provide an opportunity to explore thoughts and feelings relating to significant experiences and work towards a therapeutic objective within a safe space, equipping the child for learning and life ahead.
Contact
If you represent a school or organisation that may be interested in Play Therapy Manchester's services, please get in touch.
Services are currently only available for schools/organisations based in South Manchester
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