Psychotherapy Donegal

Play & Psychotherapy Donegal

I have undertaken training in Play Therapy so that I can incorporate this in my Psychotherapy practice. As a result, I can provide relationship based and developmentally appropriate services to children and adolescents who may be struggling with minor or major issues and allows me to conceptualise the needs of the client at an advanced level and to make clinical decisions that are based on this deep understanding. 

Psychotherapy helps adolescents to understand how their thoughts create emotions and lead to behaviours. Deirdre educates the young person about how this neurochemical process takes place and supports them in controlling/managing this in order to feel more emotional health.

The contribution of Play Therapy within my clinical decision making enables me to use play and creativity as the medium of communication with children/adolescents, thus removing the focus on verbal communication and meeting the child at both age and stage appropriate levels. This approach engages both the cognitive and emotional parts of self i.e. brain and body.

I work with children and/or adolescents on a long-term and short-term basis depending on the specific case. Children with complex histories, significant behavioural and/or emotional difficulties, or attachment disorders are likely to attend therapy for a minimum of six months and often for considerably longer. Those with lower level of need including adjustment issues may need a shorter-term intervention.