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children coping with loss

Children Coping with Loss

Play Therapy at Aisling Centre

Available to children aged 5+ in Primary School, who are experiencing loss through:

  • Bereavement
  • Family separation
  • Long-term illness

Priority will be given to:

  • Children coping with recent loss (ie within the last 3-years)
  • Children experiencing the loss of an immediate family member or a significant other
  • Older children (ie children in primary 7)
“This has been a very positive experience. My son is able to express himself better and verbalise his feelings.”

Play is a natural, non-verbal form of expression for a child. Using a range of creative interventions – toys/games, art, storytelling, writing/poetry, sand, puppets etc – play therapists use play to help children express their feelings, thoughts and experiences.

Play therapy enables children to communicate at their own level and at their own pace in a way that is safe and comfortable for them.

In a safe and welcoming space your child can communicate freely and in confidence about the things that are troubling them over a period of weekly one-hour sessions.

Parents/caregivers are the most important people in the lives of children and we encourage you to play a supportive part in the process. We will hold regular review meetings with you to ensure the best possible outcomes for your child.

Play therapy is available at the Aisling Centre and from some outreach venues including schools and GP Practices.

Feeling broken hearted is as common in infants and children as in adults.

Through play therapy children can:-

Receive emotional support
Feel listened to and have their loss acknowledged
Learn to better understand and express their thoughts, emotions and feelings
Begin to make sense of difficult life experiences
Develop new coping skills
Experience reduction in anxiety and increased self-esteem and self-confidence
Implement changes in behaviour
Enjoy improved family and social relationships.

“Coming here helped me to feel less sad and that’s because I was able to talk about her and my feelings about missing her and being sad, so it helped me a lot.  I also liked the fact that we had fun, we were both very funny, even though we talked about some sad things”

Simply access our referral form at the bottom of this page, fill it in and send it to us.  Alternatively drop in to the Aisling Centre, telephone or email us.  Details are on our contact us page.

Sometimes your child’s teacher or your GP or other professional may suggest play therapy for your child.  They can make a referral with your permission, on your behalf.

First your child will be given an appointment for an initial interview. At the initial interview you and your child will meet with the play therapist. Here you will have an opportunity to discuss your child’s needs and problems and to talk about what it is that has brought you to the Aisling Centre.

We understand that both child and parent/caregiver can find the initial interview daunting and we will endeavour to ensure that it is a positive experience for both of you. During the interview the therapist will help you decided if play therapy at the Aisling Centre is the best option for your child at this time. If not, we will work with you to find more appropriate support. If we agree that play therapy is appropriate and may benefit your child, the therapist will arrange a regular appointment time with you. Play therapy sessions are normally once a week for an agreed number of weeks.

Support for parents/caregivers

Parents/caregivers sometimes find that they can benefit from the additional support of the various services provided at the Aisling Centre. This can be discussed with the play therapist.

Support for schools

It can be difficult for schools to meet the needs of children dealing with the emotional difficulties that some children may experience as a result of loss. Aisling Centre can help by working onsite to offer care and support through play therapy to children experiencing loss.

Request for Counselling

If you require counselling, please click on the link below, print out the form, fill it in and return to:

Aisling Centre, 37 Darling Street, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, BT74 7DP