- What is play therapy?
Play therapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy used with children. It honors their developmental and emotional abilities by looking for ways to help them through their natural language of play. Play therapy is most effective for children between the ages of 3 and 12. Also, play therapy can help children of any gender or race. Another benefit is that it can also be used in conjunction with family therapy. So, our therapists can help both your child cope with their emotions and your family’s overall connectedness and functioning.
What mental health concerns can be treated with therapy for children and play therapy?
If you have a concern about your child’s mental health or behavior. Getting a professional’s opinion on what to do is recommended. However, common things that bring children to counseling include:
- Anxiety
- Extreme separation anxiety
- Depression or extreme and persistent sadness
- Trauma and/or PTSD
- Grief and loss
- ADHD
- Conduct concerns, aggression, and poor emotional regulation
- Nightmares and bedwetting
- School refusal
- Social anxiety or becoming socially withdrawn
- Life transitions such as divorce, parental separation, moving, etc.
Working with a Child Therapist Matters
The first step in successful child counseling is building trust. That’s why it’s very important your child has the opportunity to work with a child therapist. A therapist who specializes in working with children should be skilled at building a relationship with young children and creating a safe environment for them to express themselves. At the relationship therapy center, we have child therapists on our staff who are experienced play therapists. This means that they have gone through extensive training on how to best help children and preteens process their feelings and thoughts through play.
What happens during therapy for children and play therapy?
Play therapy is very individualized to meet the needs of the children that come to counseling. As a therapist gets to know their client, they will learn their likes and dislikes. The children will be presented with a variety of activities, games, and toys to play with. These may include things like a sand tray, dolls, board games, puzzles, art supplies, and more. As children explore our playroom they will gradually act (or possibly) draw the things that are bothering them, giving their therapist insight into what happened and how they could help.
Often negative thoughts, feelings, memories, experiences, traumas, and/or beliefs about themselves, have fueled the concerning behaviors. Holding negative things inside takes a lot of energy from your child, energy which they could use to learn new skills. Once your child has learned that they can safely experience and express what they have been holding tight within themselves they will find relief. Then, they will have the energy needed to learn the necessary skills to manage their emotions and behavior better.
Children will be supported as they play out their troubles. The counseling room, or playroom, is a safe place for them to explore these memories, feelings, and thoughts. Their therapist will also work with them to cope with the distress they are feeling. When the child is ready the therapist will use play to teach them healthy coping techniques to help them regulate their thoughts and emotions better in the future. Over time, it is our goal to help your child deal with their big feelings, reduce stress, and prevent undesirable behavioral outbursts or tantrums.