I have been asked to see you because you may have had some horrible things happen. You might be feeling sad or angry or confused about these things. Maybe you can’t help fighting or crying or you feel bad about yourself. The people that care for you want you to feel better. Sometimes it is hard to talk about your feelings so I will try to help you feel better without you having to explain in words. That’s because children play their feelings better then they talk about them

Will my play therapist tell others what we have been playing? 

In play therapy sessions, whatever you play and talk about is private, but not secret between you and me, your play therapist. I won’t tell anyone all the details of what you have played with or talked about, but I will need to tell a grown up about how you are getting on. Sometimes we might decide together to tell others something that is important. I will not tell other children. 

I will have to tell other grownups if I am worried that someone is hurting you or you are hurting someone else, but we will talk about it first.  But you can choose to tell others what happens in the play room or you can keep it to yourself, that is okay too. 

How long will I see you for?

Children’s problems can get better when they understand their feelings and experiences. This might happen quickly or it might take a long time, but in the end you and I will both feel ready to say goodbye. You will feel able to manage without me.