Play Therapy
Play Therapy is a wonderful resource for children to work on the challenges that they are navigating while building skills and increasing confidence and self-esteem.
"Toys are children's words and play is their language"
~ Garry L. Landreth
"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is the serious learning"
~ Fred Rogers
Expressive Play Therapy
Expressive play therapy opens up the play experience to a multitude of materials and ways for children to express themselves. Some of the options can include sculpting, sand, puppets, music, dance and story telling. To read more about expressive therapy read here.
Nature-Based Play Therapy
Nature-based therapy works alongside expressive play therapy very well. Nature-based therapy can include using grounding natural materials within an office location or it can include utilizing park locations. To find more about potential park locations and nature-based therapy read here.
Synergetic Play Therapy
Synergetic Play Therapy© was created by Lisa Dion. This model of play therapy focuses on the nervous system and attachment to self and others.
"Synergetic Play Therapy (2008) is a researched-informed model of play therapy blending the therapeutic power of play with nervous system regulation, interpersonal neurobiology, physics, attachment, mindfulness, and therapist authenticity. It grew from personal experience as well as research in neuroscience, Interpersonal Neurobiology, and attachment theory (see Badenoch, 2008; Porges, 2011; Schore, 1994; Siegel, 1999 for coverage of the ideas behind SPT). Preliminary research suggests that SPT significantly improves emotional tolerance and regulation (Dion & Gray, 2014; Simmons, 2020)...
As an all-encompassing paradigm with Child-Centered, Gestalt, and Experiential Play Therapy influences, it expands on the therapeutic powers of play while focusing on being in relationship with the child, not doing something to the child. Through the play itself, the Synergetic Play Therapist supports the child in changing his/her/their perceptions of the perceived challenging events and thoughts in his/her/their life, as well as getting in touch with his/her/their authentic self."
You can read the remainder of Lisa Dion's Synergetic Play Therapy description here.
If you are interested in learning more about Synergetic Play Therapy© you can visit their website, listen to Lisa Dion's podcast Lessons From the Play Room or have a look at some short videos that support parents and caregivers.
Working with Parents & Caregivers
Parents and caregivers are a big part of play therapy! You may not be in the room with us but you continue the work between sessions.
Part of the model of play therapy that we practice at Moss & Fern Counselling includes discussing with parents between sessions on how the therapeutic process is progressing, emphasizing how parents and caregivers can further support their family between sessions.
Every session is different with many factors influencing who is in the play room and what activities are being engaged with. Most likely you will not be in the play room. However, there may be times when you might be! This might include a first session or if you are specifically working on family connection at a later stage in the therapeutic process. If this is the case, you will get a chance to connect with your counsellor prior to the session to ask any questions and review what the process will look like so everyone can be a bit more at ease.
If you are in the play room with your child you might be participating in play that is led by your child or encouraged by your counselling that may include:
- dress up
- reading or storytelling
- painting, drawing, or sculpting
- creating an image or scene in sand
- sewing a family of gnomes
Directive activities may be suggested to work on attachment, communication, and/or processing the challenging events that occur in life together depending on your family needs and context.
New Westminster Location
The New Westminster office space is located at Unit 103 at 713 Columbia Street. This office space is off historic Columbia street above Waves Coffee House. With large windows for tons of natural light.
You will find miniatures for small world building with many natural textures: wooden figurines, shells, gemstones, rocks, crystals, shells, wool, and silks for example. There are also large and small dolls, puppets, a play kitchen, board and card games and various craft materials. Paint, different types of clay, pastels, and other art supplies can also be found.
Nature-Based Play Options
Please refer to the Nature-Based Counselling page to see different park options at the bottom of the page.
