Play Therapy
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Why Play Therapy?
Therapy is utilized to help children cope with difficult emotions and find solutions to problems (Moustakas, 1997; Reddy, Files-Hall, & Schaefer, 2005). By confronting problems in the clinical Play Therapy setting, children find healthier solutions, and allows children to change the way they think about, feel toward, and resolve their concerns (Kaugars & Russ, 2001).
During Play Therapy, toys act as symbols that can take on greater meaning. Since children can’t express themselves in the adult world, the therapist joins the child in their world - using their language of play. As children engage in play alongside the therapist, they may become more comfortable and begin to share their feelings. Children are allowed to open up in their own time while using play to communicate.
"Play is a child's natural language for communicating with the world around them."
What is the process?
Play Therapy will differ depending on the therapist and the unique needs of the child. To begin, the therapist may want to observe the child at play and will join the play if invited by the child. Observing the child at play allows the therapist to assess the child's functioning, needs and strengths. The therapist may also conduct separate assessment interviews with the child, parents, teachers, or other significant adults in the child's life.
After a thorough assessment, the therapist will begin building trust with the child, set some therapeutic goals, decide on what limits may be necessary, and formulate a plan for how to help the child heal. Play therapists observe the child's play and use these observations as a guide for the therapeutic process. Our knowledgable providers are skilled in deciphering the meaning and themes of children's play.
As therapy progresses, the child's behaviors and goals may be reassessed. The therapist may bring parents, siblings, or other family members into the therapy process. This is known as Filial Therapy and it can help teach conflict resolution, promote healing, and improve family dynamics.
Want to learn more about Play Therapy? Click the links below.
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