Specialized Play Therapy for Emotional Growth.
Find clear answers to common questions about our play therapy services for children healing from trauma or in general need of our support.
What age groups do you support with play therapy?
We offer play therapy tailored for children from ages 3 to 13. Focusing on trauma recovery, self-awareness, anxiety, aggressive outbursts, bereavement, intrusive thoughts, parental separation, abuse, bullying and personal, social and emotional development.
How long is each therapy session?
Sessions typically last 50 minutes, allowing children to express themselves comfortably. However, they are able to leave at any point during that time.
Do you work with parents during therapy?
Yes, we involve parents through regular updates and guidance to support their child’s healing. Contact with the therapist is welcome.
We arrange an initial consultation to discuss the referral and your concerns, which helps us to learn more about the needs of the client and to assess which service is best for them. This can be in person, over the phone or via email, depending on your circumstances.
Should therapy progress, a review meeting will then be scheduled after the 7th session, where progress will be shared.
Please note that although what happens in sessions is confidential and cannot be shared by the therapist, we can discuss the client’s general progress such as coping mechanisms, therapeutic objectives, engagement and themes without specific details. The priority for the therapy to be effective is the child’s trust in the process. They have to feel safe, meaning that specific details need to remain private.
If a child wants to share what they have done in therapy they will, and if they don’t, they won’t .
An end report will also be provided upon completion, following the same rules of confidentiality.
We thank you in advance for your understanding.
Is play therapy effective for trauma recovery?
Play therapy is proven to help children process trauma and develop healthy coping skills.
How can I schedule a session?
You can enquire about availability and book an appointment by contacting us via email, phone or text.
The majority of sessions are held in schools, charities and children’s centres with the therapist setting up a playroom allocated to them. For private referrals we ask that parent/s and carer/s liaise with the setting to inform them of their intention to have their child start therapy and provide the therapist with a point of contact. The therapist will then make arrangements to visit the setting. Introducing themselves to members of staff and the client before the initial session to prevent unnecessary stress and anxiety. The therapist will then collate key information and complete a risk assessment to ensure the well-being of the child. Once the therapist is clear on the policies of the setting and safeguarding information is obtained, sessions will be scheduled.
What should my child bring to therapy?
Children don’t need to bring anything; our therapy space is fully equipped for their comfort.
Fizzing Minds?
Picture a healthy mind as a sparkling drink, bubbles of thoughts and emotions gently rising and dissolving as they are processed.
Now imagine that same drink flipped upside down, shaken by looming threats and challenges. The bubbles multiply, trapped with nowhere to escape. Confronted with uncertainty about what lies ahead, the pressure mounts, urgently seeking a release…
The concept of ‘Fizzing Minds’® originated during my time teaching, inspired by a child who, while experiencing emotional dysregulation, described themselves as “fizzing” and only feeling comfortable to share (their emotions) with adults they had been able to connect with outside of the classroom , notably members of the pastoral team or Head Teacher. Emphasising a need for support outside of the learning environment.
Throughout my 15 years of teaching, I have observed an increasing number of children needing support for their mental health and well-being, often seeking comfort from adults they trust. This has led me to reflect deeply on the importance of children forming therapeutic relationships that extend beyond the typical responsibilities of a classroom teacher. Such connections require individuals with specialized training and dedicated time to listen, helping children manage emotional dysregulation and learn to process and regulate their thoughts and feelings in real time. By creating these opportunities, children can better recognize their emotional states and develop coping strategies that promote self-awareness and emotional resilience.
I recognize the challenges of meeting the needs of every child in a classroom setting, where staff support over 20 children, each with unique needs and personalities. While I loved teaching, I wanted to offer more targeted support to children, parents, carers, and school staff in a different and more personalized way.
Parents have often approached me for support because their children need someone outside the family to confide in. This does not reflect poorly on family dynamics but offers children a neutral space to freely express their thoughts, feelings, and emotions without fear of upsetting loved ones. When the concept of Fizzing Minds® was developed, it became clear that support is needed not only for the child during difficult times and emotional confusion, but also for those around them. Parents, family members, teachers, staff, and peers are all affected, and our goal is to foster healing and impact that extends far beyond the playroom.
Whether through clinical sessions, expert advice, professional consultations, or simply offering respite from the classroom to support learning, Fizzing Minds® provides a tailored service that promotes emotional stability, self-recognition and effective conflict resolution, supporting the client and those around them.
Now picture the drink we previously imagined as a child struggling to identify and process their emotions, affected by deep-lying trauma or anxiety. Needing somewhere safe to release ‘the fizz’.
Fizzing Minds Therapeutic support aims to support ‘therapeutic fizzing’ in a non-judgemental and supportive environment providing that ‘release’. So that thoughts, worries and emotions have a safe space to be processed, supporting deeper healing.
Kev Haywood, Certified Play Therapist at Fizzing Minds®
How do I explain play therapy to a child?
Engaging in open discussions with your child is essential for the success of therapy, as it enhances their understanding and fosters a sense of empowerment. The child-friendly information booklet below offers everything they need to feel safe and confident, helping them prepare for the beginning of their therapeutic journey.
