Play therapy makes a difference. Play is an enjoyable, fun activity that elevates our spirits and brightens our outlook on life. Play relieves feelings of stress and boredom and, most importantly, helps us express ourselves.
What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy refers to a large number of treatment methods, all applying the therapeutic benefits of play. Play therapy helps children to address and resolve their own problems, and builds on the natural way that children learn about themselves and their relationships in the world around them.
APT defines play therapy as the “systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development.”
What does Play Therapy help?
Play therapy helps children:
- Become more responsible for their behaviors and develop more successful strategies
- Develop new and creative solutions to problems
- Develop respect and acceptance of self and others
- Learn to experience and express emotion
- Cultivate empathy and respect for thoughts and feelings of others
- Learn new social skills and relational skills with family
- Develop self-efficacy and a better assuredness about their abilities
Play therapy aims to help a child’s growth and development.
What Age Is Play Therapy For?
This evidence-based therapy technique can be useful for children between the ages of 3 and 11 who have social, emotional, or behavioral challenges or an intellectual disability. Even when children don’t have the vocabulary to express their feelings, play therapists can find clues about underlying issues through symbolic expressions and address them through play therapy interventions. With some adjustments, this type of therapy may even be helpful for young adults. Teens may benefit from a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and creative outlets such as drama and art.
What Are Some Examples of Play Therapy in Action?
Counselors use a range of methods to determine what’s wrong and how best to help a child improve their emotional well-being.
The use of toys and pretend play is common. The toys are often used for acting out of big feelings. Action figures may be made to argue, for example, and therapists ask questions to gain insight into traumatized children’s inner turmoil and preferred outcomes. The destruction of toys in a safe space may be the result of anxiety-driven anger and a form of emotional release. Once play patterns and choices are observed, treatment plans use games to build emotional regulation skills.
What Does Play Therapy Involve?
During play therapy, the child will be in a playroom or is given toys to play with. Each weekly session usually lasts 30-45 minutes, and the therapist may talk to the children during the session or let them play by themselves. Play therapy can help children better express themselves, improve their social skills, and resolve problems creatively.
If your child has unresolved trauma or behavioral issues, play therapy can help them manage their emotions and develop creative solutions to their problems. Children with developmental problems can benefit from play therapy techniques, which enable them to learn new skills and improve their interpersonal skills.
Kids and adults can cope with family trauma by using play therapy to examine their emotions and better approach painful topics. Play therapy can also help a child boost their mental health and improve their problem-solving skills. It can encourage new ways of thinking and solving problems, helping kids better approach their dilemmas.
If your child has language skills problems or may be dealing with trauma, we recommend calling us today. Play therapy may be what they need to alleviate or permanently resolve their problems. We offer child-centered play therapy sessions, and our mental health professionals have extensive experience in counseling. Call Get Centered today.
If you’re interested in learning more about play therapy and how it can help your child grow, please contact us today so we can schedule an appointment.