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Play Therapy Services

What is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a structured, theoretically based approach to therapy that builds on the normal communicative and learning processes of children (Carmichael, 2006; Landreth, 2002; O'Connor & Schaefer, 1983).

 

The curative powers inherent in play are used in many ways. Therapists strategically utilize play therapy to help children express what is troubling them when they do not have the verbal language to express their thoughts and feelings (Gil, 1991).

 

In play therapy, toys are like the child's words and play is the child's language (Landreth, 2002). Through play, therapists may help children learn more adaptive behaviors when there are emotional or social deficits (Pedro-Carroll & Reddy, 2005).

to remember “it is your own brain that will be doing the healing and you are the one in control”.

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How is Play Therapy Different?

Play therapy differs from regular play in that the therapist helps children to address and res​olve their own problems. Play therapy builds on the natural way that children learn about themselves and their relationships in the world around them (Axline, 1947; Carmichael, 2006; Landreth, 2002).

 

Through play therapy, children learn to communicate with others, express feelings, modify behavior, develop problem-solving skills, and learn a variety of ways of relating to others. Play provides a psychological distance from their problems and allows expression of thoughts and feelings appropriate to their development.

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H​o​w Will Play Therapy Benefit a Child?

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, hospitalization, chronic illness, assimilate stressful experiences, physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, and natural disasters (Reddy, Files-Hall & Schaefer, 2005).

Through Play-Therapy Children Will:
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  • Become more responsible for behaviors and develop more successful strategies

  • Develop new and creative solutions to problem

  • Develop respect and acceptance to s​elf 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 thus a better assuredness about their abilities​​

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