Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy primarily for children (but oftentimes for people of all ages as well) working through emotional and mental health issues. Simply put, child play therapy is a way of being with the child that honors their unique developmental level and looks for ways of helping in the“ language” of the child – play. Licensed mental health professionals therapeutically use play to helptheir clients, most often children ages three to 12 years, to better express themselves and resolve their problems. Play therapy works best when a safe relationship is created between the therapist and client, one in which the latter may freely and naturally express both what pleases and bothers them.
Many different techniques can be applied during play therapy. The technique used during a therapy session largely depends on your child’s needs and what play mediums they feel most comfortable using.
A typical play therapy session usually lasts between 50 to 55 minutes. During a play therapy session, the therapist will create a comfortable and safe environment for the child to play. The therapist will then observe the child’s interactions with the toys that are provided.
As the child grows more comfortable in the therapist’s playroom, more specific play activities that targetthe issues the child is dealing with will be introduced. Some of the most common techniques used byplay therapists across the world include:
Play therapy is particularly beneficial for children who struggle with communicating and expressing themselves in a positive and healthy manner. Children who have been abused or experienced extremely traumatic or stressful events might benefit from play therapy to regain a sense of normalcy in their lives. Children with certain mental health disorders which hamper their emotional and social expressions typically benefit greatly from play therapy as well.
These could include children with behavioral disorders or learning disabilities. There has been some research into the effectiveness of play therapy on children with the following conditions:
Play therapy allows trained mental health practitioners who specialize in play therapy, to assess and understand children's play. Further, play therapy is utilized to help children cope with difficult emotion sand find solutions to problems By confronting problems in the clinical play therapy setting, children find healthier solutions. Play therapy allows children to change the way they think about, feel toward, and resolve their concerns Even the most troubling problems can be confronted in play therapy and lasting resolutions can be discovered, rehearsed, mastered and adapted into lifelong strategies.
Many people are dismissive of play therapy and its effectiveness. Concerned parents often find it hard to understand what benefits their children gain from “just playing.” However, the fact is that with or without the guidance of a therapist, children like to communicate through play, whether we may have noticed it or not.
A child playing violently with toys might be dismissed as aggressive when in reality, he might be mirroring a violent domestic situation he has been witnessing.
These could include children with behavioral disorders or learning disabilities. There has been some research into the effectiveness of play therapy on children with the following conditions:
Here are some of the benefits of play therapy:
Every child is different, and their response to play therapy will vary based on individual characteristics, family dynamics, and developmental stages. Our therapists are trained to understand these nuances and work with each child to create a personalized therapy experience that nurtures their growth and resilience.
In an ideal world, all children would thrive in an environment where they feel safe and supported. Unfortunately, challenges arise that can impact their emotional well-being. Play therapy offers a constructive outlet for children to address these challenges, fostering healing and personal development.
Our Play Therapy in San Antonio, TX, supports children, adolescents, and families in navigating their emotions and developing coping skills through engaging and therapeutic play activities. Call our experienced therapists today at 210-418-2546. We are here to help.