Understanding Play Therapy and Identifying 8 Ways Play Therapy Can Benefit a Child
Imagine this: You finally decide that it is time to seek out therapy services for your child due to the overwhelming big feelings and big behaviors that they are experiencing. You decide to start searching on Psychology Today and find someone who you feel may be a good fit based on their inviting demeanor, supportive bio, and welcoming office pictures. You then get to their “Treatment Approach” section where it explains the “Types of Therapy” that they utilize.
A whole new overwhelming feeling strikes you as you try to understand what they really do. For child therapists, you may see “Play Therapy” or “Registered Play Therapist™” come up a few times. A million questions pop into your head as you continue to try to make sense of everything. I am here to hopefully answer all of your questions pertaining to Play Therapy and why it is an effective treatment approach for children!
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). Play Therapy is a modality designed to serve children based on their most effective form of communication – PLAY (Ray, 2011). Just as adults use words to communicate, children use play. Children are naturally able to deepen their exploration of their perception of themselves and of their world through play since they are more comfortable with this means of communication. Play provides a developmentally responsive means for expressing thoughts and feelings, exploring relationships, making sense of experiences, disclosing wishes, and developing coping strategies (Landreth, 2002). The Play Therapist supports your child to fully express and explore themselves by providing a supportive environment and a safe relationship (Landreth, 2002).
Play Therapy is an evidence-based approach that supports various populations and mental health concerns.
One of the best videos to describe Play Therapy is Introducing Andrew.
How Can My Child Benefit From Play Therapy?
Play in and of itself is rewarding and beneficial for everyone. However, there are specific powers of play when it comes to Play Therapy for children.
Developmentally Appropriate Self-Expression
Play is obviously developmentally appropriate for children. Play provides a developmentally responsive means to explore motor, cognitive, affective, social and moral capacities and competencies (VanFleet, 2010).
Facilitates Communication
Play is a child’s most effective form of communication. Through play, children are better able to communicate their perception of themselves and of their world. In Play Therapy, we are utilizing your child’s natural form of communication in order to better understand their inner and outer world, especially pertaining to their own feelings, thoughts, experiences, and behaviors. Play Therapy allows children to use toys to say what they cannot say and help uncomfortable experiences feel more comfortable.
Promotes Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving
The freedom of play allows children to process challenges and attempt various solutions without penalty. It provides emotional safety that enables them to explore their inner and outer worlds and apply their creativity to resolve challenges (VanFleet, 2010).
Increases Feeling Identification and Emotional Regulation
During play, children explore their feelings, emotions, and needs. The therapist utilizes reflections and meaning making to allow your child to increase their own self-reflection and insight regarding their feelings and needs. This then leads to development of positive alternatives to get their feelings and needs met in a more adaptive and healthy way.
Stress Management
Play is fun! Play has a freeing effect. Play allows for joy and excitement. It decreases distress by providing the opportunity to play out overwhelming challenges in a fun and safe way.
Increases Sense of Control
At times, change and transitions are difficult for children. When a big change or transition occurs, such as a move or a new sibling, children usually communicate with big behaviors. Through play, children can experience a sense of control while learning to manage and regulate their feelings and impulses. By being in control of the play, children are able to take charge with less risk of harmful outcomes. They can find more balance in their life. They can feel in control when circumstances in their world feel outside their control.
Cultivates Connection and Enhances Social Competence
In Play Therapy, the positive relationship that develops between the therapist and child is foundational. This interpersonal relationship teaches empathy, social skills, collaboration, and connection. The relationship between the therapist and child is an important vehicle for sustainable change and growth. The positive relationship that develops between the therapist and child during Play Therapy sessions can provide a corrective emotional experience necessary for healing (Moustakas, 1997). The child then learns relationship skills that can be applied to other social environments in their life.
Self-Understanding and Confidence
Your child gets to learn who they are. In a world where we can be anything, it is important to be ourselves. Your child can explore and understand their own likes, interests, and abilities. They can increase their confidence in who they are and build a positive self-image and increase self-acceptance.
Who Benefits From Play Therapy?
All humans play which means that any human of any age can benefit from Play Therapy. However, Play Therapy is especially appropriate for children ages 3 through 12 years old (Carmichael, 2006; Gil, 1991; Landreth, 2002; Schaefer, 1993).
I Want Play Therapy for My Child. How Do I Pick the Right Therapist?
The practice of Play Therapy requires extensive specialized education, training, and experience that goes beyond what’s required for a therapist’s basic licensure. When finding a Play Therapist that is right for your family, we recommend searching for a Registered Play Therapist™ (RPT™). Becoming a Registered Play Therapist™ (RPT™), requires a minimum of 150 hours of specialized education, specific supervision, and consistent experience utilizing play. The Association for Play Therapy (APT) offers an online directory for play therapists near you.
I offer Play Therapy services to children in the Cincinnati/Blue Ash, Ohio area. I am a Registered Play Therapist™ and utilize play-based interventions to collaborate with you and your child to better understand and make sense of their inner and outer world. I work to establish a supportive relationship so that you and your child can benefit from the powers of play!
Additional Information about Play Therapy can be found on the Association for Play Therapy website.
