Play is the most important thing a child can do. When children play they are functioning at their optimum level of development. Increasing the complexity of their play skills facilitates all areas of their development. Play is not only the essence of a happy childhood, it is the way children learn - about themselves, their bodies, their environment, and the people and objects around them.

For a child, play is serious business; through play a child develops self-confidence, a positive self image and learns to express feelings, solve problems, make decisions and cope with real life situations.

All play has educational, developmental and therapeutic potential. The emphasis placed on each aspect varies according to the context and the goals of the professional involved as well as the particular needs of the child. What they have in common is the fundamental belief in the natural power of play.

Play therapy uses the therapeutic powers of play to help children achieve optimal growth and development and to prevent or resolve a range of development and/or emotional difficulties. It promotes resilience and assists children to develop holistically and increase emotional intelligence.

There is a fundamental difference between the child’s play in other situations and their play in play therapy. The structure and quality of the relationship between the play therapist and the child provides opportunities for therapeutic healing and repair. This transforms the play to play therapy. The play therapist is an informed container of the child's therapeutic work providing a unique understanding of the child’s inner world.

Pia is trained in animal assisted therapy and has her dogs Libi and Cosmo working alongside with her in the playroom.

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Nature based and Animal assisted Therapy

Pia has a second base in Ballinfull were she operates from her small farm. At the practice in Cooleen children have the choice to work indoor and outdoor and can switch from being in a contained indoor therapy space to a contained outdoor therapy space. Beside the dogs Libi and Cosmo, a small herd of alpaca, geese and chickens are involved in the work.

 
 
 
 

If you would like to make an appointment for play therapy, please contact Pia Lück or Olivia Cunningham.

Pia Lück

Olivia Cunningham

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Libi & Cosmo