How we work at Creative Connections Therapy
We know families need clear and accessible services that provide measurable, successful therapy. For Creative Connections Therapy it is essential that families are entering into therapy that provides them with a sense of control over and understanding of the treatment they receive. Creative Connections Therapy is a calm and informative space that makes sure families feel in control and know what they can access both at Creative Connections Therapy and beyond.
That is why when you first contact Creative Connections Therapy we provide a free and detailed assessment process, informing families of the cost, impact, and expectations of any therapeutic intervention before we ask a family to financially commit or apply for funding. Creative Connections Therapy has developed a service committed to evidence-based interventions, that are current and well structured.
Most importantly we want to create a space where children and their families are safe, have fun, feel successful, feel connected, supported, and of course play, and get back in touch with themselves.
Our Therapies
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What is Play & Creative Arts Therapy?
Children often do not have the words to describe their thoughts, feelings, and preconceptions of their world. Play and Creative Arts Therapy uses play and creative arts (a child’s natural form of developmental learning and communication) to facilitate the expression of any difficult feelings they may be experiencing. Play and Creative Arts Therapy is an effective form of intervention that helps children modify their behaviours, clarify their self-concept, enhance self-esteem, and build healthy relationships.
In Play and Creative Arts Therapy, children enter a dynamic relationship with the therapist that enables them to express, explore and make sense of their world and experiences. Play and Creative Arts Therapy helps children find healthier ways of communicating, develop fulfilling relationships, decrease anxiety and aggression, increase resilience, and facilitate emotional literacy. Because Play and Creative Arts Therapy is often fun and non-confrontational, it is an ideal form of therapy for children.
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Many schools are experiencing an increase in mental health difficulties amongst their pupils and, along with the constant demands made on staff from the curriculum and data requirements, supporting these children can feel overwhelming.
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How does this work?
Therapy is essential for all the children and parents we work with at Creative Connections, but sometimes if may not be possible for us to support your child in person if they have high anxiety about leaving the house, if you live out of area, or if your work commitments make it difficult to bring them to us. Online therapy provides total accessibility, flexibility, and comfort for children, which can improve their engagement in the therapy process and overall outcomes.
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What is AutPlay Therapy?
AutPlay Therapy is a neurodiversity affirming framework for implementing play therapy to address the mental health needs of neurodivergent children and their families. AutPlay conceptualizes psychological counselling therapy and approaches of play therapy through a diversity understood and informed process for working with neurodivergent clients.
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What is Animal-Assisted Play Therapy?
Animal-Assisted Play Therapy is the integrated involvement of animals in the context of play therapy, in which a trained therapist and animals engage to improve client’s development and psychosocial health, whilst simultaneously ensuring the animals well being and voluntary engagement. Animal assisted Play therapy can assist with self-efficacy, Attachment and relationship, Empathy and Self-Regulation. The feature that most distinguishes AAPT from other forms of animal assisted Therapy is the inclusion of play and playfulness as the primary means of expressing feelings, developing relationships, and resolving psychosocial problems.
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What is Land Play therapy?
This is a form of play therapy where the therapist takes the child outdoors to utilize the benefits of nature and incorporates it into the healing process. At Creative Connections we are very lucky to have a wonderful outdoor space around our Therapy cabin which we have developed to provide nature-based play therapy in the outdoors.
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This approach involves parents or primary caregivers in the therapeutic process. Family Therapy offers a unique, engaging and effective approach to address challenges and conflicts within the family system. Typically:
Therapists teach parents techniques to engage in therapeutic play with their children.
The aim is to strengthen the parent-child bond and empower parents to support their child’s emotional well-being.
“Give children permission to discover who they are, not who the world wants them to be”
— Lisa Dion