Child Play Therapy

Play therapy is a form of therapy used for children. That’s because children may not be able to process their own emotions or articulate problems to parents or other adults. Although it might look like ordinary play, it achieves a lot more than that.

A trained therapist can use playtime to observe and gain insights into a child’s problems. The therapist can then help the child explore their emotions and deal with unresolved trauma. Through play, children can learn new coping mechanisms and how to redirect inappropriate behaviors.

Therapists give praise and support as kids learn. They help kids believe in themselves and find their strengths. Therapy builds helpful thinking patterns and healthy behavioral habits. A therapist might meet with the child and parent together or meet with the child alone.

Research supports the effectiveness of play therapy with children experiencing a wide variety of social, emotional, behavioral, and learning problems, including: children whose problems are related to life stressors, such as divorce, death, relocation or moving, hospitalization, chronic illness, assimilate stressful experiences, physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, and natural disasters.

The most common outcomes for children after receiving play therapy are:

development of respect and acceptance of self and othersdevelopment of empathy and respect for otherscultivation of new social skills and relational skillsincreased self-esteem, self-efficacy and thus a better assuredness about their abilitiesdeveloping approriate boundaries with self and otherslearning to fully experience and express feelings

Play therapy makes a difference.