There are many different conditions or difficulties, life experiences, parenting challenges, feelings and emotions that Play and related therapies can help with. Horizon Play Therapy offers a male Play Therapist who has background experience in special educational needs and autism and has undertaken a range of post-qualifying training to enable him to broaden his skills into adult, family and group work. This means we can offer a holistic and flexible approach in clinics, schools and other settings.

Horizon Play Therapy can work with individuals or families who have or are experiencing loss, separation, trauma, abuse or adoption. Horizon Play Therapy can also support individuals with differing conditions such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, selective mutism or communication challenges, intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities and emotional disorders. Horizon Play Therapy can offer support to individuals, families and schools who might experience challenges like bullying, school refusals, and behavioural and relational difficulties. Horizon Play Therapy offers a range of services to help meet your needs, as we know early intervention is often best, and that is why we offer a free initial consultation so that you can discuss your needs and find out whether Horizon Play Therapy is right for you.

Horizon Play Therapy provides support for children (3 years and over), young people, families, and adults dealing with social, emotional, and behavioural challenges. This includes individuals with trauma, Autism Spectrum Disorder, mental health issues, anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, attention disorders, and disabilities. Additionally, they assist young carers, siblings, and individuals facing life-limiting conditions, behavioural problems, and difficulties in social, work, or academic environments.

During therapy, individuals engage in the activities they connect with like drawing, playing with puppets, or using toys and sand to express themselves. The therapist builds trust through acceptance and respect and then provides a supportive space for an individual to explore feelings, relationships, strengths, and challenges, whilst offering insights to promote self-awareness and understanding. Sessions are typically client-led which means the individual chooses what to do, but the therapist may provide more guidance or direction around activities undertaken, if needed, to support the therapeutic process.

Therapy sessions are recommended to occur once (maybe twice) a week for 50 minutes, at the same time and place each week. It's important to plan the timing and location to maintain a consistent schedule throughout the therapy block. While cancellations or rearrangements may occasionally be necessary, they will be managed thoughtfully.

Each therapy session lasts 50minutes. Parents meetings are approximately 50minutes.

Unfortunately it is not possible to state the exact number of therapy sessions required. Some people find a short block of therapy beneficial yet other people require extended blocks depending on their needs and objectives. Research suggests that to achieve lasting benefits, typically 20 individual sessions are required but the duration of therapy varies based on factors such as consistency in attendance, environmental influences, social support, and the severity and duration of symptoms. The therapist will constantly moniter the required number of sessions to improve outcomes and in consultation will recommend additional therapy only, if necessary.

Group or family therapy and CRPT are typically a shorter duration because of being topic focussed.

Play and related therapies are evidence based techniques used internationally to address challenges, improve cognitive and physical behaviours, enhance relationships, and promote overall well-being.

In a therapeutic environment, individuals of all ages can openly explore their concerns about significant issues and although therapy outcomes vary for each person. Occassionally, therapy may not be appropriate and that is why detailed referral information is sought to help assess the suitability of therapy and our expertise.

Yes. There are many different types of therapy beyond what Horizon Play Therapy can offer like counselling (talking therapy) or music therapy. Each therapy has its own or shared foundations and each therapist will have their own background experience that they bring to their therapy. Horizon Play Therapy typically focuses on what occurs rather than the conversation and is founded in a non-directive approach. This means the therapist does not direct the activity but rather reflects on the individual(s) actions and verbalisations and interprets the underlying feelings and conflicts that are being highlighted within therapy.  However, the approach may vary within and between sessions depending on what may benefit the individual(s). At times, a more directive approach may be undertaken where the therapist directs the individual(s) with specific games or activities that might assist them in becoming more actively involved or help them resolve particular issues. The therapist typically works with the individual to identify the most effective approach at any given time.

Personal therapy is often a very individual thing. Sometimes, we know that there are experiences we’ve had or behaviours we’re experiencing that we need support with, but sometimes, life just becomes hard, and we don’t know why. It is at these moments that therapy might be beneficial. It might be hard to admit you need or want help, and children and young people can find it hard to engage with therapy initially as many of us fear the unknown or see asking for help as a failure. Hopefully, by reaching out and just asking the question, you will know whether Horizon Play Therapy is right for you, your child, your family or your client.

Horizon Play Therapy is unable to support individuals experiencing acute severe mental health adversity. If in crisis, such as with imminent suicidal thoughts, significant self-harm, experiencing current abuse, or you feel unable to keep yourself, others or the person safe, then it is essential that you seek immediate and urgent assistance. Organisations that offer 24-hour specialist support include dialling 999 or 911, Mental Health Connect in Cornwall (0800 0385300), Samaritans (116 123) or Shout (85258).

We are always happy to discuss suitability for you, your child, your family, or your organisation before making any commitments. If you are unsure, send us an email, text or give us a call, and we can start a conversation. Contact: HorizonPlayTherapy@gmail.com (07926 401387).

Individual therapy sessions are with the therapist and client. With younger or anxious children the initial session(s) may occur with the parent/guardian present to enable the transition into therapy but the aim will always be for the parent to leave the session. Parents/ guardians are required to wait in the waiting area throughout the child/ young persons session for safeguarding reasons.

If you would like to attend therapy with your partner, child/ren, sibling group etc. then group or family therapy may be recommended. In group or family therapy two to four people attend the therapy session together and explore things either in parallel or shared together.

If you feel individual therapy is appropriate but would rather attend therapy on-line then this is viable but a private space is required. When working with children/ young people a parent/guardian will need to be available for technical support but a private space should still be offered to enable open expression.

Play Therapists are bound by confidentiality irrespective of whether the individual is an adult or child. This means the therapist will not disclose specific details about therapy sessions unless the individual in therapy gives specific consent. However, in some instances it is appropriate to share general themes, supportive strategies and developments that are occurring within therapy with parents/ guardians, funders and other professionals. Often the individual will be informed and offered a say in the information that is being shared. When working with children and young people it's recommended that parents/guardians attend regular meetings throughout the therapy block. This is to ensure both parents and therapist are kept well informed but parents and professionals are encouraged to reach out to the therapist at any point within the block and the therapist will likewise do so, if needed.

The exception to information sharing is when safeguarding concerns arise with individual(s). At these times, only necessary information will be shared with the appropriate persons as, per policy and procedures.

Personal information and individual records are kept in line with Horizon Play Therapy policy.

Horizon Play Therapy believes that face-to-face therapy should take place in a suitable neutral location or in a child or young person's school. This is to help maintain the therapeutic process and we can work with you to identify the best location. Horizon Play Therapy recognises in some situations therapy can only be provided in the home and in these circumstances would typically propose TelePlay Therapy. In some cases, when working with a child/ young person, parents meetings can be undertaken in the home and can be discussed on an individual basis.

Enquiries and referrals are accepted from individuals themselves (adults), parents/ legal guardians, fostering and adoption charities/organisations, social workers, GP's, clinical psychologists, teachers, learning mentors, and other agencies. Therapy can only be undertaken with the consent of the person/s holding legal guardianship of the child or young person. Horizon Play Therapy always welcomes anonymous confidential conversations, should this be of benefit.