PLAY THERAPY

Play is a child’s natural medium of communication. Play therapy uses the therapeutic powers of play to help clients heal. 

The objectives of the Play Therapy sessions are:

• To provide a space and process for healing through play therapy and counselling
  
• To provide emotional, psychological and practical support to children and teenagers traumatised by violence and abuse
  
• To help children in crisis to cope with their studies and give them the opportunity to realise their full potential
  
• To prevent and raise awareness on child sexual abuse

SAWO started a play therapy program for abused children in 2008 with the financial support of Johnson & Johnson Asia Pacific Contributions Fund. A play therapy room which is well equipped with various tool kits was completed in SAWO centre by the end of 2008. 

In the SAWO centre, play therapy sessions are conducted regularly by Ms Irene Yee. She is a Certified Practitioner in Therapeutic Play Skills and has a diploma in play therapy from the Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy (APAC).  

Our Play Therapy program is popular with the children who love to come for their special time with Aunty Irene! If you need support or would like to know more, please contact us.

In order to reach out to more children in need of play therapy, SAWO plans to assist other organisations or institutions to set up their own in-house play therapy program.

At the moment, there are four (4) play therapy centres in Sabah:

• SAWO (Sabah Women Action Resource Group) – Damai Point, Kota Kinabalu
  
• Kota Kinabalu Children’s Home – Beringgis, Papar
  
• Princess Anne Children’s Home – Kota Kinabalu
  
• PACOS Trust – Penampang

Volunteering with our Play Therapy Program

In order to work with more children, we need more volunteers to assist in the care and transportation of children whose families are not able to bring them to our centre. Please contact us if you are interested in helping.

To find out more about how to volunteer with us click here.