How Does It Work?

We all have worries, fears and difficult memories. No parent can protect their child from ever experiencing painful events. Some children have more worries and fears than others. For some children their difficult memories become difficult behaviours. They might become withdrawn or seem depressed. They might have trouble sleeping or be overly active. They might be verbally or physically aggressive. I can help them.

Through play, children can learn to make sense of their past and present experiences, worries and emotions. The physical and psychological responses to events in the past and present are made sense of. Troubling events, memories and feelings become less intense and have less power to control children’s patterns of negative responses and negative behaviours. Children can then progress to exploring and embedding alternative, more positive responses which are more beneficial to their relationships, welfare and wellbeing in the long-term. These embedded positive responses will improve their life in the short and long term. These really are life skills.

 ‘Neuroscience research shows that more brain centres light up in response to metaphor than any other form of human communication forming new neural pathways’… And …. ‘Symbolic / fantasy play with its use of metaphors provides new experiences that develop the brain/mind’.   (Levin, F 1997 and Modell, A. H 1997.) Through play the brain really does change as the old ways of thinking, feeling and reacting are replaced with new ways of thinking, feeling and reacting. Therefore the repeating negative outcomes decrease or stop and new ways of thinking, behaving and relating to others develop.

Symbolic, non-directive play with its use of metaphors is proven to provide new experiences that develop the healthy brain and heal the hurt mind.

Play and Creative Arts Therapy can:

  • quieten the amygdala’s panic response- flight, fight, freeze
  • aid the hippocampus (the central organ for learning and processing)
  • release natural opioids and oxytocin making the child happier
  • lessen feelings of aggression or anxiety – making the child feel calmer and psychologically stronger
  • enhance the feeling that everything is well in their world
  • develop a deep sense of well-being and improve self-esteem
  • develop connections and relationship skills
  • make the child feel safer in the world
  • aid the immune system to work better
  • enhance the ability to learn