Play. It occurs so naturally in childhood, it's easy to take it for granted. Of course, play continues throughout the lifespan, even if it takes different forms. When you think back on your favorite childhood memories, they most likely involve you playing or, at the very least, contain some playful elements. Play is revitalizing. It fosters our sense of creativity, connects us with others, teaches us how to problem solve, and releases stress. For children, it is their work. Instead of being separate from their learning, play is where children's learning occurs most naturally. It is crucial for a child's development to engage in play, and if they have endured adversity, play can help a child overcome these experiences and master them. For you as a parent, learning special ways to play can help you and your child grow closer by increasing mutual trust and emotional safety.
In our increasingly hectic, overly-scheduled lives, having a place for unstructured play is more important for your child than ever before.
What is "Play Therapy"?
Click on the logo above to explore the official Association for Play Therapy website, which includes detailed information on the credentialing process for registered play therapists.
Play therapy is a form of therapy that harnesses the therapeutic powers of play to assist children in resolving their psychosocial difficulties. Research has shown play therapy to be effective, especially for children ages 0-12, for a variety of problems.
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As a registered play therapist (RPT), I have received advanced training, supervision, and education in applying a plethora of play therapy models in an integrative fashion. I tailor treatment to the individual needs of your child, with a special focus on working through issues interfering with the parent-child bond.
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A typical session for your child involves me inviting them to play in an unstructured fashion where I follow their lead. During this time I am observing patterns that emerge in your child's play scenarios while communicating to them in a way that increases their self-awareness. Sometimes, particularly when invited, I will join in on the play to either gain a better sense of your child's internal world or to model effective problem-solving strategies.
Why Play Therapy?
Imagine this: your child just engaged in some sort of problematic behavior. Let's say they pulled the dog's tail or took their sister's favorite toy after you've told them not to do so for the one-hundredth time. Exasperated, but maintaining your cool, you get down on your child's level hoping to have a civil conversation about what's going on. When you ask your child why they [insert problem behavior here] they reply back, "I don't know." You poke and prod trying to get more out of them but you feel like you're pulling teeth.
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Sound familiar? Children, especially very young children, aren't great about talking about their feelings (in their defense, most adults struggle with this, too). Instead, children communicate more comfortably and more naturally through their play. Children use play to make sense of their experiences in the world, so play therapy meets your child where they're at by speaking their "language."
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Play therapy is also an excellent choice of intervention for children who have experienced stress or trauma but, because of their age or developmental challenges, do not engage in verbal speech. Last, but not least, play therapy is fun! This approach helps children feel relaxed enough to engage in the process, so that they can work through their issues faster.
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Video provided by www.a4pt.org
Do you want a more harmonious connection with your child? Use the button below to reach out and see if play therapy is what you need!