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Play therapists demand ITV apologise for airing Coronation Street episode that 'brings the profession into disrepute'

The play therapy workforce have spoken out against comments made during an episode of Coronation Street that ‘play therapy is touchy, feely rubbish’.
Play Therapy UK and Play Therapy International say that the Coronation Street episode 'discounted the effectiveness of play therapy', PHOTO Adobe Stock
Play Therapy UK and Play Therapy International say that the Coronation Street episode 'discounted the effectiveness of play therapy', PHOTO Adobe Stock

In the episode of Coronation Street, which was broadcast on ITV at 7.30pm on Monday, the character Evelyn Plummer, played by Dame Maureen Lipman, said when talking about her 10-year-old granddaughter to her father (the character Tyrone Dobbs), ‘She’s had play therapy, touchy, feely rubbish, new age, but she needs something long-term. Teach her right from wrong.’

Play Therapy UK (PTUK) and Play Therapy International said the comments ‘discounted the effectiveness of play therapy, bringing the profession into disrepute.’

In a joint statement, the organisations urged all their members to complain to Ofcom and ITV and ask for a public apology.

It states, the comment ‘is totally disrespectful of the successful therapeutic work undertaken by play therapists and the children who have successfully accessed play therapy to give them a better future.

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