Play Therapist
For a number of years, the Childhood Cancer Association has been part funding a qualified Child Play Therapist for all oncology children at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. The Play Therapist provides structured and appropriate play therapy for children who are isolated in the ward, or in the clinic.
The role of the Play Therapist is to minimise anxiety, stress or trauma often associated with hospitalisation.
The Therapist provides opportunities for children with cancer to give expression to the experiences and emotions they may be having difficulty with, through the use of play.
Children in hospital can experience long stays and the work the play coordinator does has been univerally praised by families and staff.