Hi

Yes a Hospital Play Specialist is very different to a Play Therapist.

A Hospital Play Specialist normally works in hospital or medical related environments such as hospices and with community nursing teams in children's own homes. They use play techniques to help children cope with pain, distract children during uncomfortable and painful medical procedures, understand the medical environment and medical procedures, and relax in the hospital environment. If there is a hospital play specialist employed at that hospital, they should see the child as a mater of course if they are on the children's ward. However children can also be refered by another professional to a hospital play specialist before or after a medical related procedure has taken place, and would work thought issues & fears related to this.

A Play Therapist uses play as a tool, as a way to work through complex emotional and mental health issues such as child abuse, fear of dying, issues with self body image. A Play Therapist maybe used for children in a simular way to a counsellor would be used for adults, althought counsellors can be used for children too. You maybe be refered to a play therapist or choose to seek one out and pay for your child to attend. The child may attend a one hour session each week over a period of maybe ten to twelve weeks.

I hope that sort of explains, but do ask if there are any aspects that you want to know more about.

hattyhar