Play Therapy Galway and Play Therapy Mayo
Play Therapy in Galway and Mayo with Helplink is for children aged 3 to 10 years old. For young children aged 11-18, we offer our Creative Therapy service and a Youth Counselling service.
Play Therapy allows children the time and space to work out what may be troubling them. We want to help each child to fulfill their full potential. Most importantly, it allows them to express their feelings through their most natural method of communication – PLAY. We believe play is one of the most important vehicles for children to know and accept themselves and others.
Our Galway and Mayo Play Therapy and Creative Therapy appointments are 45 minutes long. They are non-directive and non-investigative in nature. This means, the child leads the sessions and the therapist follows. In addition, the room holds the play therapy ‘tool kit’ which includes:
- sand
- clay
- puppets
- role play
- art materials
- therapeutic stories
- creative visualisations
- music/movement
We want to make sure that all children feel comfortable at our sessions. Due to this, we encourage the child to express the negative or difficult emotions through their actions. The therapist is able to track and observe what is happening and gently guide the session when necessary. The therapist provides the space which allows the child/young person to play as they need to. As a result, our sessions have as little limits as possible but as many as is necessary for physical and emotional safety. All play/creative therapy sessions are confidential. Therefore, details of the sessions shall only be disclosed in line with child protection procedures.
Who is this Play Therapy Galway/Mayo for?
We believe at Helplink that any child over the age of 3 years can benefit from play therapy. This type of therapy nurtures creative thinking, builds self-esteem, confidence, resilience and much more. Furthermore, play therapy can be specifically used to support children with any emotional or behavioural difficulties. Ones who have suffered bereavement/loss, suffering with anxiety. Also, it can help children who are having any family issues. Naming only a few, there are a wide range of benefits for children from Play and Creative Therapy.
Creative therapy is for older children aged 11 to 15 as above this service can assist these children across multiple areas. At this time appointments are only available in Galway City and Kiltimagh, Mayo..
Testimonials
Our 8 year old son attended play therapy with Denise Gordon for 8 sessions and starting week 3 we noticed changes in his confidence, self-esteem, and social skills. After every session he was skipping from happiness. He loved the sessions with Denise. He has lost all the anxiety he had before, has been able to establish more friendships and has learned to calm down much quicker. My son has formed better relationships with his little brothers too. In our opinion Denise has had a great influence on him and we would bring him back to her if an issues arises
Our Play/Creative Therapists
Denise Gordon: Denise holds a First Class Honours Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy (NFQ: Level 9), First Class Honors Postgraduate Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills (NFQ: Level 9), B.A. (Hons) in Children Studies from NUI Galway (NFQ: Level 8) and is a Parent Child Attachment Play Practitioner.
Denise has provided play therapy sessions in a variety of locations to children with a range of social, emotional and behavioural needs. Some if the locations include various Primary schools, Brothers of Charity, Clann Resource centre and Helplink Support Services. Denise has also created and implemented primary school programmes. Denise is a registered member of PTIRL (Play Therapy Ireland), Garda vetted, PPS insured and completed a Pediatric First Aid course.
Anne Cahill: is a graduate of St Nicholas Montessori College Ireland & has many years experience working with children. She holds a primary degree in Education & Training (NUI, Galway) along with a Post Graduate Diploma in Practice Based Play Therapy, awarded by NUI Galway & the Academy of Play & Child Psychotherapy (QQI Level 9).
Anne is a member of Play Therapy Ireland & her work is guided by Play Therapy International’s Ethical Framework. Anne is supervised, insured & Garda Vetted
Karel Daly: Karel qualified as a Play Therapist and Psychotherapist from the Children’s Therapy Centre (CTC) (Diploma in Play Therapy & Psychotherapy) in 2011. She is a accredited member of the Irish Association of Play Therapy and Psychotherapy (IAPTP).
Karel’s experience includes working with children with Autism, Anxiety, Behavioural problems and children who have experienced trauma, abuse, bereavement and loss. She also has extensive experience in dyad work with parents and children. In addition this this she has completed a two year programme in Systematic Constellation Therapy, incorporating the traditional teachings of Bert Hellinger. Karel has also completed the Principles of Art Therapy Certificate with CTC.
Fee for appointment/s
If either parent/caregiver is working the fee for one appointment is 65 Euro*
However, if both parents/caregivers (or if lone parent) are (is) unemployed or full-time students one appointment is 45 Euro
*Employed Parents/Carers can also buy a bundle of 8 appointments for 500 Euro.
Please note: if you want to cancel or postpone your appointment you must do so 48 hours in advance. Consequently, a cancellation fee may apply.
