What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a long-standing, well-researched and effective form of therapy for children. Most of it came out of the works of Carl Rogers by Virginia Axline who believed that people and children are striving to become the best, most authentic version of themselves. However, they believed certain conditions in one's environment will often block or impede in that process. As a child-centered play therapist I've seen this present in the children with whom I work. Therefore, my approach to working with children is to develop a safe, trusting and empathic relationship with children to help foster this growth. I provide the sun, water, air, etc. and the child is the plant that does the growing. What this often means in the playroom is that I follow the child's lead and give them the power to play with almost anything they chose and in almost any way they would like (with some exceptions regarding safety). This allows the child's innate desire for growth and development to flourish. Therefore, play therapy is a means by which children will learn to love and accept themselves while processing difficult life experiences.
Play therapy can last for a shorter (6-8 weeks) or longer (6-18 months) period of time depending on the child's needs, challenges, social support, etc. Play therapy works best when caregivers bring children in consistently as the child needs to develop a predictable and safe relationship with the therapist. Most sessions will last for about 45 minutes but may go shorter depending on the child's development and other factors. As part of play therapy, it's important I meet with caregivers periodically to check-in about progress at home, school, etc. and for me to provide some insight into what the child is working through in therapy. These are great times to connect with you as a caregiver and provide support for you as well.
Below is a video to help explain play therapy and why it's useful!
Play therapy can last for a shorter (6-8 weeks) or longer (6-18 months) period of time depending on the child's needs, challenges, social support, etc. Play therapy works best when caregivers bring children in consistently as the child needs to develop a predictable and safe relationship with the therapist. Most sessions will last for about 45 minutes but may go shorter depending on the child's development and other factors. As part of play therapy, it's important I meet with caregivers periodically to check-in about progress at home, school, etc. and for me to provide some insight into what the child is working through in therapy. These are great times to connect with you as a caregiver and provide support for you as well.
Below is a video to help explain play therapy and why it's useful!
Why Play Therapy?
Play therapy uses the innate and therapeutic power of play to help a child work through struggles, challenges and issues going on in one's life. Research shows toys are the words children use to communicate. Therefore, the use of various intentionally selected toys helps children communicate and work to resolve current or prior struggles they are experiencing. Through the support and guidance of a trained play therapist, the child will begin to overcome their psychosocial struggles to improve in their overall functioning.
Through play therapy, children can learn to identify and express their emotions in healthy ways. They can also learn and develop social skills such as showing empathy, respect and care for others as well as themselves. Often children will develop stronger problem solving skills and show increased levels of self-confidence and self-efficacy.
Overall, play therapy is the best-established form of therapy to work with children as they develop into strong, confident, caring and compassionate adults.
Through play therapy, children can learn to identify and express their emotions in healthy ways. They can also learn and develop social skills such as showing empathy, respect and care for others as well as themselves. Often children will develop stronger problem solving skills and show increased levels of self-confidence and self-efficacy.
Overall, play therapy is the best-established form of therapy to work with children as they develop into strong, confident, caring and compassionate adults.