Play Therapy for children – what is it and how does it work?
What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy for children is a form of counselling or psychotherapy that uses play to communicate. It is primarily used to help children prevent or resolve psychosocial challenges, and helps them towards better social integration, growth and development, emotional modulation, and trauma resolution. Using play as a therapy is a way of helping children work through emotional, psychosocial and behavioural difficulties by allowing them to feel safe and develop trust with their therapist, who follows their lead and enters their world.
How does Play Therapy work?
During a play therapy session, a play therapist and a child will work together in a playroom, which is equipped with specially chosen toys that will encourage the safe expression of feelings and also support the development of healthier behaviours. The therapist works with the child to explore and resolve their problems through the therapeutic use of play, using a range of toys such as puppets, stuffed toys, dolls, dress-up and make-believe clothing and props, art materials for drawing and painting, construction toys, and other games. Play therapy allows for facilitating healing from past stressful or traumatic experiences, allowing the expression of feelings, encouraging creative thoughts and new ideas, allowing the development of healthy decision-making skills, enabling the communication of problems and concerns to others and supporting the learning of new ways of thinking and behaving.
The Wishing Well foundation
The Wishing Well was established in 2010 to offer children in out-of-home care, such as foster care and residential care, a range of healing and treatment options usually not accessible as a free therapy in mainstream health.
The Wishing Well raises funds to enable children and young people to access developmentally-appropriate and trauma-informed treatments shown to be highly effective in dealing with severe trauma and neglect. These therapies respond to the unique needs of each child and young person.
The Wishing Well is a not-for-profit incorporated charity organisation, established and managed by people seeking to improve outcomes for children and young people in out-of-home care and their families. The Wishing Well recognises the importance of the act of giving. We recognise the significance of the participation of community members and all donations are most appreciated.
The Wishing Well operates ethically, effectively and empathically with a view to achieving quality outcomes and a satisfying working environment.
Support the Wishing Well
The Wishing Well uses its funds to help children in need access developmentally-appropriate and trauma-informed treatments including Heal for Life camps. The Wishing Well takes referrals for any child/young person in out-of-home care in NSW. Applications are assessed by qualified personnel and on a case-by-case basis. The decision to fund an application is affected by the following:
- Funding availability
- The support the child/young person has to access the proposed therapies
- The capacity and willingness of the Carer Household to support the child/young person
- Assessment, which recommends and supports the proposed therapy as relevant to meeting the particular needs of the child/young person
The Wishing Well gratefully receives donations, funding and resources through bequests, corporate partnerships, fundraising events, grants, online donations and other fund raising activities. Money donated to The Wishing Well enables traumatised children access to healing therapies. Please see our website for more information:
Healing children with Heal For Life Camps – what are they and how do they work?
What are Heal for Life camps?
Heal for Life camps are residential healing programs for survivors of childhood trauma and abuse. They are run entirely by survivors of childhood trauma, for survivors of childhood trauma and child abuse. They provide a safe place for the healing journey – a place where survivors can be themselves; where everyone understands their pain.
Heal for Life camps are located in the Hunter Valley and provide a weeklong residential camp for young people and children, during which trained counsellors work with the child or young person to address personal issues and develop skills to work through and address those issues.
How do Heal for Life camps work?
Heal for Life programs are run by survivors of child abuse as they are best able to understand what other survivors are going through. Guests at the camp are supported by people who truly understand the pain, confusion and suffering that comes from childhood trauma. Guests are lovingly supported to find and establish a ‘safe place’, re-connect with, and re-empower the ‘child’ part of themselves – the part of themselves that felt the pain and can still be carrying the memories of their trauma, engage in and take responsibility for their own healing journey and counteract feelings of shame or guilt by fully appreciating that childhood abuse was not their fault. Healing programs are based on the latest neuroscience research, combined with anecdotal and intuitive knowledge.
The Wishing Well foundation
The Wishing Well was established in 2010 to offer children in out-of-home care, such as foster care and residential care, a range of healing and treatment options usually not accessible as a free therapy in mainstream health.
The Wishing Well raises funds to enable children and young people to access developmentally-appropriate and trauma-informed treatments shown to be highly effective in dealing with severe trauma and neglect. These therapies respond to the unique needs of each child and young person.
The Wishing Well is a not-for-profit incorporated charity organisation, established and managed by people seeking to improve outcomes for children and young people in out-of-home care and their families. The Wishing Well recognises the importance of the act of giving. We recognise the significance of the participation of community members and all donations are most appreciated.
The Wishing Well operates ethically, effectively and empathically with a view to achieving quality outcomes and a satisfying working environment.
Support the Wishing Well
The Wishing Well uses its funds to help children in need access developmentally-appropriate and trauma-informed treatments including Heal for Life camps. The Wishing Well takes referrals for any child/young person in out-of-home care in NSW. Applications are assessed by qualified personnel and on a case-by-case basis. The decision to fund an application is affected by the following:
- Funding availability
- The support the child/young person has to access the proposed therapies
- The capacity and willingness of the Carer Household to support the child/young person
- Assessment, which recommends and supports the proposed therapy as relevant to meeting the particular needs of the child/young person
The Wishing Well gratefully receives donations, funding and resources through bequests, corporate partnerships, fundraising events, grants, online donations and other fund raising activities. Money donated to The Wishing Well enables traumatised children access to healing therapies. Please see our website for more information:
Music therapy for children – what is it and how does it work
What is music therapy for children?
Music therapy aims to use the experience of music to aid children in addressing their physical, psychological, emotional, cognitive and social needs. Music is used to actively support children as they strive to improve their health, functioning and wellbeing. Based on the child’s medical and developmental status, music can be employed in structured ways (songs, song-writing) to help contain or clarify emotions and empower the child. Music therapy offers a child a safe haven from which to explore feelings, behaviours and issues.
How does music therapy work?
Music therapy can help with pain management, relaxation, emotional expression, socialisation and distraction. It can involve song-writing, movement to music, instrument improvisation, music-assisted relaxation, singing and lyric analysis. A guitar can be strummed to the rhythm of a patient’s breathing to aid in relaxation. Music can be used to alleviate tension and anxiety and aid pain control through distraction and/or relaxation. Music can be used to decrease anxiety, fear, anger, agitation, distress and sadness. Song-writing sessions with older children can prove to be a means of self-expression that can aid in processing feelings.
The Wishing Well foundation
The Wishing Well was established in 2010 to offer children in out-of-home care, such as foster care and residential care, a range of healing and treatment options usually not accessible as a free therapy in mainstream health.
The Wishing Well raises funds to enable children and young people to access developmentally-appropriate and trauma-informed treatments shown to be highly effective in dealing with severe trauma and neglect. These therapies respond to the unique needs of each child and young person.
The Wishing Well is a not-for-profit incorporated charity organisation, established and managed by people seeking to improve outcomes for children and young people in out-of-home care and their families. The Wishing Well recognises the importance of the act of giving. We recognise the significance of the participation of community members and all donations are most appreciated.
The Wishing Well operates ethically, effectively and empathically with a view to achieving quality outcomes and a satisfying working environment.
Support the Wishing Well
The Wishing Well uses its funds to help children in need access developmentally-appropriate and trauma-informed treatments including music therapy. The Wishing Well takes referrals for any child/young person in out-of-home care in NSW. Applications are assessed by qualified personnel and on a case-by-case basis. The decision to fund an application is affected by the following:
- Funding availability
- The support the child/young person has to access the proposed therapies
- The capacity and willingness of the Carer Household to support the child/young person
- Assessment, which recommends and supports the proposed therapy as relevant to meeting the particular needs of the child/young person
The Wishing Well gratefully receives donations, funding and resources through bequests, corporate partnerships, fundraising events, grants, online donations and other fund raising activities. Money donated to The Wishing Well enables traumatised children access to healing therapies. Please see our website for more information:
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy – what is it and how does it work?
What is Equine Assisted Psychotherapy?
Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) has become an increasingly popular treatment wherein the patient interacts with horses in a variety of activities; grooming, feeding, walking, in order to improve their psychological health. It is a hands-on form of psychotherapy where the emphasis is on doing not talking. The child or young person is able to process and discuss feelings, behaviours and patterns by participating in grounded activities with horses. Each EAP session will be a unique experience and can be conducted even by those who have no experience with horses.
How does Equine Assisted Psychotherapy work?
EAP has been found to address a variety of issues relevant to children and young people who have suffered trauma, including behavioural problems, attention deficit disorder (ADD), post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, relationship problems and communication difficulties. EAP can provide insight for observation and growth – a client’s reaction to a horse’s behaviour can give their therapist an understanding of how they interact with people. It is considered short-term therapy due to its intensity and effectiveness.
The Wishing Well foundation
The Wishing Well was established in 2010 to offer children in out-of-home care, such as foster care and residential care, a range of healing and treatment options usually not accessible as a free therapy in mainstream health.
The Wishing Well raises funds to enable children and young people to access developmentally-appropriate and trauma-informed treatments shown to be highly effective in dealing with severe trauma and neglect. These therapies respond to the unique needs of each child and young person.
The Wishing Well is a not-for-profit incorporated charity organisation, established and managed by people seeking to improve outcomes for children and young people in out-of-home care and their families. The Wishing Well recognises the importance of the act of giving. We recognise the significance of the participation of community members and all donations are most appreciated.
The Wishing Well operates ethically, effectively and empathically with a view to achieving quality outcomes and a satisfying working environment.
Support the Wishing Well
The Wishing Well uses its funds to help children in need access developmentally-appropriate and trauma-informed treatments including equine assisted psychotherapy. The Wishing Well takes referrals for any child/young person in out-of-home care in NSW. Applications are assessed by qualified personnel and on a case-by-case basis. The decision to fund an application is affected by the following:
- Funding availability
- The support the child/young person has to access the proposed therapies
- The capacity and willingness of the Carer Household to support the child/young person
- Assessment, which recommends and supports the proposed therapy as relevant to meeting the particular needs of the child/young person
The Wishing Well gratefully receives donations, funding and resources through bequests, corporate partnerships, fundraising events, grants, online donations and other fund raising activities. Money donated to The Wishing Well enables traumatised children access to healing therapies. Please see our website for more information:
Art therapy for children – what is it and how does it work?
What is art therapy for children?
Art therapy is a fast-growing field that combines psychotherapy with art media, providing comfort and hope to children facing a diverse range of challenges. It can sometimes be difficult for young children to express how they feel through emotions and words, and so art therapy provides an outlet for them to express themselves, as they tend to be naturally more artistic and creative, and they are likely to feel more comfortable expressing themselves with crayons and paints than with words. Art therapists help children visually express and record their experiences, perceptions, feelings and imagination. Through art therapy, which provides a unique opportunity for the use of non-verbal communication, thereby allowing the safe expression of feelings, the child/young person is supported to process traumatic experiences and to resolve inner conflicts.
How does art therapy work?
Art therapy works through non-verbal and sensory-based communication. Part of the reason it works so well is that it can be utilised for children who may not be able to articulate thoughts, sensations, emotions or perceptions. Also, for those children who have experienced abuse, art therapy is a way for them to express their thoughts without talking, if they are unable to speak about their experiences. With the help of the therapist, children can decipher the meaning of their pictures and discuss the underlying issues that inspired their art. Art therapy can also help children relieve stress, increase their awareness of self, and develop healthy and effective coping skills for their issues. Art therapy helps to enable improved coping skills and judgment, a more integrated sense of self, increased self-awareness and acceptance, improved personal growth and insight and an increased ability to form healthier relationships.
The Wishing Well foundation
The Wishing Well was established in 2010 to offer children in out-of-home care, such as foster care and residential care, a range of healing and treatment options usually not accessible as a free therapy in mainstream health.
The Wishing Well raises funds to enable children and young people to access developmentally-appropriate and trauma-informed treatments shown to be highly effective in dealing with severe trauma and neglect. These therapies respond to the unique needs of each child and young person.
The Wishing Well is a not-for-profit incorporated charity organisation, established and managed by people seeking to improve outcomes for children and young people in out-of-home care and their families. The Wishing Well recognises the importance of the act of giving. We recognise the significance of the participation of community members and all donations are most appreciated.
The Wishing Well operates ethically, effectively and empathically with a view to achieving quality outcomes and a satisfying working environment.
Support the Wishing Well
The Wishing Well uses its funds to help children in need access developmentally-appropriate and trauma-informed treatments including art therapy. The Wishing Well takes referrals for any child/young person in out-of-home care in NSW. Applications are assessed by qualified personnel and on a case-by-case basis. The decision to fund an application is affected by the following:
- Funding availability
- The support the child/young person has to access the proposed therapies
- The capacity and willingness of the Carer Household to support the child/young person
- Assessment, which recommends and supports the proposed therapy as relevant to meeting the particular needs of the child/young person
The Wishing Well gratefully receives donations, funding and resources through bequests, corporate partnerships, fundraising events, grants, online donations and other fund raising activities. Money donated to The Wishing Well enables traumatised children access to healing therapies. Please see our website for more information:
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