Client Information & Confidentiality

Client Information & Confidentiality

Theraplay is a child and family therapy for enhancing attachment, self-esteem, trust and joyful engagement. It is based on natural patterns of healthy interaction between parent and child, is personal, physical and fun. Theraplay interactions focus on four essential qualities found in parent-child relationships: Structure, Engagement, Nurture and Challenge. Theraplay sessions create an active and emotional connection between child and parents, resulting in a changed view of the child as worthy and lovable and of the relationship as positive and rewarding.

Touch is a normal, healthy part of all parent-child interaction and is very important for healthy development of all children. Theraplay touch is playful and engaging as seen in many of the surprising and delightful activities; it is nurturing in the caregiving activities; it is organising and modulating in the structuring activities; it is used to help or guide the child in the challenging activities. At all times our goal is to maintain the safety and meet the developmental needs of the child.

A child who has been inappropriately or hurtfully touched needs to relearn what gentle, fun and appropriate touch feels like, and therefore lean that he/she is worthy of this kind of treatment. Also, children who may be extremely sensitive to touch need psychical closeness and playfulness, therefore Theraplay seeks ways to provide these experiences in ways that are tolerable for the child and eventually to expand tolerance for new sensory experiences.

You, the parents/carers, will play a major role in Theraplay. However, at the beginning, the Theraplay therapist will be the more active member of the team and initiate the interactions, for the following reasons:

• To provide a model for a new way of interacting for you and your child
• To get past the child’s initial resistance so that your first experience with the new kind of interaction is positive
• To help you feel more sure of yourself and comfortable with touch

If you feel uncomfortable with physical contact, we will move slowly until we develop a relationship with you and better understand your interaction with your child.