Child Centered Play Therapy
Understanding children through their language of play
What is Child Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)?
The most natural way for children to show us what’s on their minds, is through play. Play helps children to express and process what they are thinking and feeling. Toys are like children’s words. and play helps children process their feelings and experiences. Play supports children with making sense of the world around them and gives them an opportunity to practise skills in a developmentally appropriate way.
Child Centered Play Therapy is a form of child- counselling and is recognised internationally as an evidence‑based mental health intervention for children.
In a therapeutic playroom, children can choose to play with a variety of toys such as art materials, sensory items, pretend play, dolls, figurines, animals, construction toys, and sand. The play therapist follows the child’s lead and develops a trusting relationship, making the playroom a place of safety and acceptance for a child.
Who is Child Centered play therapy for?
Child-centred play therapy (CCPT) is for children between the ages of 3-10 years old who are experiencing behavioural and/or social emotional challenges, such as
Anxiety and grief
Relationships and social skills
Emotion regulation (anger, defiance, feelings of overwhelm)
Self-esteem and confidence
Significant and impactful life events such as separation, divorce or relocation
Trauma such as abuse or neglect
What can play therapy help my child with?
Play therapy helps foster children’s development of a variety of social and emotional skills, including a more positive sense of self, confidence, responsibility and problem-solving skills and emotional literacy.
Through play therapy children are better able to understand their experiences and find their own resources for healing and growth.
How does the play therapy process work?
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Our initial contact will be via phone or email, and together we will establish if play therapy may be the right support for your child. If we decide play therapy is not the right support for your child, I will provide you with recommendations for other suitable supports for your child.
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We talk about your child, your concerns and discuss what you would like your child to gain from play therapy. This will be an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have. Generally, children are not at these first meetings, just so you can talk freely. After our initial meeting we organise a time for you and your child to have a look in the playroom together with you before starting their therapy sessions.
Fee: $160 Duration: 50 minutes
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Child play therapy sessions happen weekly, at the same day and time in a therapeutic playroom. Parents/Caregivers wait nearby. If your child has difficulties separating from you, we can discuss how to best support them. It's important that children feel safe and at ease in their sessions. Knowing that you are nearby helps with this.
Fee: $160 Duration: 50 minutes
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Parents and caregivers play an important role in children’s therapy process. We plan regular meetings to update you on your child’s overall progress, to answer your questions and talk about how your child is doing at home and at school. We will also talk about how you can support your child at home.
Fee: 160$ Duration: 50 minutes
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The number of play therapy sessions needed can vary and is based on the unique needs of every child. Most often a minimum of 10-16 sessions is needed.
Meet Manon
Manon van Esch has over 25 years of experience working with children across education (ECE and Primary Schools), NGO’s, child mental health & disability services and governmental agencies.
She was born in the Netherlands and has lived in Aotearoa New Zealand since 2011. Manon is a NZ registered social worker (SWRB) and a NZ trained and certified play therapist.
Her experience and interests range from working with children with (high complex) needs and challenging behaviours, trauma and attachment difficulties and neurodiversity. Manon has extensive experience in working collaboratively with a wide range of professionals, services and teams, providing supervision and facilitating and coordinating social work services.
Manon is considerate and respectful of the difficulties your child and your family may experience and has a gentle and engaging approach when providing therapeutic supports to children.
Registration/Memberships
Full registration and practising certificate with New Zealand Social Work Registration Board (SWRB)
Member of Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Work (ANZASW)
ACC Sensitive Claims provider for children
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree Social Work (The Hague University of Applied Sciences, 2000)
Postgraduate diploma in Education (Hogeschool Inholland University of Applied Sciences, 2004)
CPW ChildPlayWorks New Zealand Postgraduate Certificate in Child Centred Play Therapy (2022)
