Play therapy is a method of meeting and responding to the mental health needs of children and is extensively acknowledged by experts as an effective and suitable intervention in dealing with children’s brain development. Although sometimes used with adults, play therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach primarily used to help children ages 3 to 12 explore their lives and freely express repressed thoughts and emotions through play. 

Play Therapy can help children overcome behavioural, emotional and social issues. It can aid social interaction, encourage communication and help towards better social integration, growth and development. 

The workshop was conducted on the 13^th and 14^th of June 2019 by Ms Lucy Bowen and Ms. Badra Udawatta. (Deputy Director- Alokaya Counselling Unit).

Lucy is a Play Therapist from the UK who relocated to Bangalore following the completion of her MSc in 2014. She has extensively studied child development and psychology, along with child and family therapy, and continues to both review and conduct leading research in the field.  She is the Executive Director of the National Association for Play therapy in India.