Play Therapy
According to the Association for Play Therapy (APT), play therapy is defined as, “the systematic use of theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained Play Therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development.” In other words, play therapy is a […]
According to the Association for Play Therapy (APT), play therapy is defined as, “the systematic use of theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained Play Therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development.” In other words, play therapy is a therapeutic approach to help children explore their emotions, thoughts, and lives freely through play. Children are encouraged to play with toys that encourage self-expression and promote positive behaviors.
“Play” can include arts and crafts, music, dancing, storytelling, puppet shows, toys, and many other activities that children enjoy. Children usually range from ages three to twelve who may have academic and social problems such as learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, grief, anxiety, and the like. Children needing play therapy may have also experienced traumatic events such as illness, abuse, or other upsetting events. Parents and children are interviewed before treatment so that the therapist can collect information about them to decide on the most appropriate treatment approach in the playroom. Once treatment has started, the therapist uses various activities to communication with the child and observes how the child uses the activities to express themselves in ways that are not expressed in words. Sessions can last 30 to 45 minutes each and the number of sessions vary depending on the child’s needs.
The goal of play therapy is to promote positive problem-solving, healthy expression, respect, and empathy in children that have experienced a wide range of trauma or mental illness. Play therapists are licensed mental health professionals with extensive training and education in Play Therapy which incorporates a number of evidence-based techniques.
To learn more about Play Therapy, please visit APT’s website: https://www.a4pt.org/