What
is Play Therapy?
Research shows that young children need a minimum of 1-2 hours of unstructured play each day. Play occurs naturally across all cultures, as it is the way in which children communicate their thoughts and feelings. Play gives children a safe place to explore and act out their feelings with little or no direction. The play therapy room is a space for children to exist in a place that is not structured like the adult world they are expected to conform. Play therapy comes in many forms and is dependent on the age and capability of the child: child-centered play, cognitive behavioral (CBT), Adlerian, filial, group, expressive arts, and sand tray.
· Child centered or non-directive play therapy is most appropriate for young children and takes a completely hands-off approach. The play therapist allows the child to determine their own rules and focuses on creating a safe place for the child to explore.
· Directive play therapy combines interventions from CBT, Adlerian, expressive arts, and sand tray with the play therapist instructing the child on what do in session.
· Filial play therapy involves the child’s parent(s) and trains them in various play therapy techniques, such as reflection of feelings and behaviors, ACT limit setting, and “tracking” behavior.
· Group play therapy involves multiple young children in the play therapy room interacting with the play therapist providing reflection and social skills building.
Who benefits from Play Therapy?
Play therapy benefits people of all ages and concerns; however, most play therapists utilize play therapy interventions for children from 3-12 years old. Children who are struggling with developmental concerns, low self-esteem and confidence, anxiety, OCD, anger, behavioral issues, life transitions, including divorce, and moving, to name a few, engage in play therapy to help process negative emotions related to their experiences. Young children have not yet developed the communication skills necessary to express their feelings and experiences; and older children might not be emotionally ready to verbalize their feelings, so play therapy provides an outlet.
Play therapy is also a developmentally appropriate treatment for children who have experienced any type of trauma, including sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, as well as neglect, loss of a loved one, witnessing violence, and many other examples. Untreated trauma symptoms in children might look like anger, temper tantrums, nightmares, anxiety, and physical harm to others. As children become older, untreated trauma can turn into more risky behavior like drug use, suicidal ideation and attempts, running away, or violence toward others. Play therapy helps reduce the symptoms and process the trauma in a healthy way.
What about Parenting and Coparenting Support?
Parenting support is offered to parents whose children are involved in play therapy for a variety of reasons: helping parents better understand how to support their child through the use of healthy limit setting, as well as understanding child development and expectations. Additionally, it is important for parents to recognize their parenting differences, as it is one of the biggest disagreements in a marriage. It is important to address these differences and engaging in parenting sessions can help alleviate the stress. A single parent is likely to have additional stress due to balancing the load of both caregivers, so parenting support is offered to help the single parent cope with the responsibility and let them know they are not alone in caring for their child.
Sometimes parents get a divorce or break up, which can cause trauma to a child. Child-rearing disagreements might follow parents into divorce, so it is important to help parents understand how to coparent effectively. Coparenting support is offered in combination with play therapy in cases where a parent needs guidance when reinforcing rules and setting boundaries for their child. Each of these issues can affect a family unit, and negative interactions can follow children into adulthood. Most importantly, no one wants to see their child hurting, but helping a child process their emotions while knowing their parents love them no matter what is the most important thing a parent can do.
Play therapy room at
Counseling and Wellness of Heath.