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

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.

‘Play therapy is a highly effective mental health intervention for between 73 per cent to 84 per cent of the children and young people, all over the world.’

The statement goes on to say, ‘Although the ITV Coronation Street broadcast was a fictional representation of play therapy as research has shown, this statement was inaccurate. 

‘Play Therapy UK / Play Therapy International require an official apology, identifying the inaccuracy of their statement and recognising that play therapy is a profession in its own right and has the research to underpin the effectiveness of the modality.’

'Misinformation about mental health treatment is still prevalent in the mainstream media'

A spokesperson for PTUK said, 'PTUK was extremely disheartened to see the efficacy of Play Therapy undermined during an episode of one of ITV’s flagship soap operas this week.

'This reveals that despite all the achievements made across the Profession over the past 20 years, misinformation on the subject of mental health treatment is still prevalent in the mainstream media; which could lead to widespread consequences for children who would benefit from this highly effective intervention.'

Helen Clark, spokesperson for the Child Mental Health Charter campaign, added, ‘This popular soap has shown itself to be out of touch with life today.

‘The value of play therapy should not be under-estimated – above all in assisting early diagnosis and help for children who are displaying signs of mental and emotional trauma– signs that are very often apparent at an early age.’

Ms Clark went on to say that it is ‘worrying’ the Government has not included play therapy within its Covid recovery programme for primary school children.

ITV has been contacted for a comment.