Play therapy is a child-centered therapy for children who are experiencing emotional, social or behavioural difficulties. It is a form of counselling and psychotherapy in which the therapist will work mostly at the child’s unconscious level to tackle the root cause for the child’s negative behaviours or concerns. Depending on the needs of your school, Alanna may take a more directive approach or include Group work to support children with common referral concerns.

It is particularly beneficial to schools because of the positive impact play therapy can have on the child’s academic progress. By alleviating the child’s deeper emotional concerns it is likely the presenting behaviours will reduce or disappear completely.

Through play therapy the child learns to cope better in the world and following on from play therapy improvements are often noticed in the child’s confidence and self-esteem, their ability to concentrate, increased participation in group work, and an increased confidence to contribute ideas.

Alanna is fully qualified with more than 250 hours of practice. The service has produced positive outcomes with over 90% of clients showing positive change for the outcomes hoped for by the school. The service offers flexibility and ensures that the hours of play therapy are delivered by a qualified play therapist.

Alanna will provide a managed referral process, meeting directly with teachers, parents and children to ensure the service can run effectively in school.

All prices include quality assurance costs such as; professional supervision, continuing professional development, indemnity insurance, Professional Standards Register and an enhanced DBS

Alanna offers options for half day and full day in addition to individual sessions. Depending on your school timetable, a half day allows up to 3 individual sessions. A full day allows up to 5 individual sessions, with the option of group work (therapeutic groups of up to 4 children).

Shoud you wish to consider more than one full day, further options can be discussed.

At this moment, Alanna is focusing this service on Play Therapy for children but this is an area that will be expanded on in the future.

Alanna would be happy to include a staff 'talk' as part of her bespoke package if required. Please mention your interest at the time of enquiry.

Alanna will discuss the needs of your school with you and provide guide prices for the cost of individual sessions, half a day or full day of therapy.

As a guide for budgeting, individual sessions costs approximately £75, with this price reducing substantially as your commitment for play therapy increases. Once a package is decided, costs can be discussed to ensure a price that is achievable for your school. Longer-term arrangments will benefit from a reduced rate.

Alanna understands how funding constraints may influence the decision for a Play Therapy service in school. She is committed to supporting the needs of children and their families across London and would be happy to create a bespoke service that is financially viable for your school.

Once arrangements are made with the school, Alanna will meet with the child, the parents and the class teacher. During these meetings the therapist will discuss the referral for play therapy and begin to assess the needs of the child. Where possible, these meetings will be scheduled throughout the school day to minimise disruption and time costs.

At a mid-point during therapy the therapist will arrange meetings to discuss the impact of play therapy for the child and whether play therapy should continue for longer or end as planned. On ending play therapy the therapist will arrange end meetings and provide a report to the school.

A contract will be drawn up between the play therapist and the school to cover the duration of play therapy and all financial commitments.

Alanna will usually provide play therapy in a room provided by the school. An uninterrupted play space is necessary for sessions to begin. Most space is adaptable and Alanna will suggest creative ideas to work with the space available. This will need to be consistent and available each week for the duration of play therapy.

Sessions will be scheduled for the same time each week, usually for a duration of 12 weeks or longer. Alanna will arrange referral meetings, assess the needs of the child and suggest a suitable start date for therapy to begin. If space is available ,therapy can begin anytime following initial assessments. Suitable distance from a school holiday will be considered.

Alanna will ensure sessions are brought to a safe ending with the child. In the event that this is likely to fall around a school holiday Alanna may advise the school to extend/reduce the session time accordingly.