Parents and Caregivers
How does Theraplay work?
Sessions with a Theraplay Practitioner consist of guiding the adult and child through fun and playful activities that foster engagement and connection. The act of engagement is what allows the adult and child to form a secure attachment. With that healthy relationship, the adult is able to regulate their child’s behaviour while communicating love, joy, and safety to the child. Theraplay helps the child feel secure, connected, cared for, and worthy. Learn more about the fundamentals of Theraplay here.
What can Theraplay
help with?
Theraplay can be used to help children and families who are having to manage the impact of a range of challenges that arise due to emotional or psychological distress, developmental differences or neurodivergent experiences. As the midel is rooted in attachment theory, it can be used to address the impact of relational ruptures that result in attachment difficulties and it can help create a felt sense of safety that enables a firm foundation for processing trauma.
What does a typical session look like?
While Theraplay falls under the broad range of play therapies, it is very different to non-directive approaches. It is highly child-centered but not child led. Sessions are structured by the Theraplay practitioner, who will lead the child and their caregiver through a range of activities designed to address goals identified through the assessment process. The goal is to develop a stronger sense of connection between the caregiver and the child. Theraplay is not a talk therapy and focuses on embodied action and connection.
What is a Theraplay Practitioner?
Practitioners complete a rigorous practicum program to become a Theraplay Practitioner. There are three levels of certification. Foundational Theraplay Practitioners have completed Level One Theraplay & MIM training, supervised and unsupervised Theraplay sessions, and have been reviewed/approved for certification by a Certified Theraplay Supervisor. Intermediate Theraplay Practitioners have completed additional supervised and unsupervised Theraplay sessions, and have been reviewed/approved for certification by a Certified Theraplay Supervisor. Certified Theraplay Practitioners have completed all required supervised and unsupervised Theraplay sessions, Level Two Theraplay & MIM training, and have been reviewed/approved for certification by a Certified Theraplay Supervisor.