The Power of Play Therapy in Schools

CEWB believes in the power of play therapy to transform students’ emotional and social well-being. Recently, we received an inspiring testimonial from Jacqueline Hunter, SENCO at St Brigid’s, that captures the impact of our service.

St Brigid’s recognised the need for tailored emotional support, particularly for students coping with complex issues. Through our partnership, we introduced play therapy as a vital part of their well-being strategy.

Here’s their story…

Play Therapy in Action

"As a school, we have seen firsthand how play therapy has made a positive and lasting impact on our students' emotional and social well-being. We partnered with CEWB to offer play therapy as part of our school’s support system for students facing challenges such as ACEs, anxiety, behavioral issues, and difficulty with social interactions." - Jacqueline Hunter, SENCO.

Creating a Safe and Nurturing Environment

Kate, a member of the CEWB team, has been working closely with the students on a weekly basis, creating a safe space where they could express themselves through play. This nurturing environment has helped the children develop crucial skills to manage their emotions and improve social interactions.

Jaqueline explained that "The results have been remarkable. Our students who initially struggled with expressing their emotions or managing difficult feelings have shown significant progress. The play therapist created a safe and nurturing environment where children could engage in therapeutic play, giving them the tools to navigate their emotions, build resilience, and improve communication skills."

CEWB’s approach to play therapy is highly individualised. Our team uses creative methods—such as art, storytelling, role-playing, and sensory activities—allowing children to explore their feelings in a way that feels comfortable and engaging.

Jaqueline stated ‘One of the things we appreciate most about this service is how tailored it is to each child’s needs.’ Our team works on a pupil by pupil basis, adhering to the CEWB framework, and steer clear of a ‘one size fits all’ approach, to ensure pupils get the maximum benefit from the sessions.

A Holistic Impact on the School Environment

The benefits of play therapy didn’t stop with the individual students. As Jacqueline noted, the positive changes had a ripple effect throughout the community.

Jaqueline continued to say "Not only have we seen improvements in individual students, but the overall atmosphere in the school has been enhanced. Teachers have noticed that students who participated in play therapy are better able to focus, interact with peers, and manage conflicts. The school community as a whole has benefited from the emotional growth and development of our students."

A Lasting Partnership

We are incredibly grateful for this partnership with St Brigids and are so proud to see the positive changes play therapy has brought to the school. As Jacqueline concluded, "We highly recommend this service to other schools looking to support the mental and emotional health of their students. Play therapy is a powerful tool for helping children heal, grow, and thrive."

CEWB is committed to helping more schools achieve this kind of transformation. If you’d like to learn more about how play therapy can benefit your students, get in touch with us today.