Play Therapy
What is Play Therapy?
Play is the child’s natural language and therefore one of the most developmentally appropriate treatment modalities for children. Play therapy is a medium for expressing feelings, exploring relationships, describing experiences, disclosing wishes, and self-fulfillment. Children express themselves and their needs, relive their past, and connect with others through play. The use of toys enables children to transfer anxieties, fears, fantasies, and guilt to objects rather than people. In the process, children are safe from their own feelings and reactions because play enables children to distance themselves from traumatic events and experiences.
Play therapy sessions can be non-directive where the therapist follows the child’s lead and codes any themes arising in the child’s play. These themes provide the therapist with
insights regarding how the child experiences themselves, others and their world as a whole. The therapist is able to gain an understanding of the child’s perception of their experiences as well as the contextual factors that maintain their perception. Directive play therapy sessions allow for the therapist to help children acquire new skills, resources and perspectives in a playful manner. The therapist provides updates to caregivers regarding emerging themes, skills, resources, and parenting support specialized to the unique needs of the child.
Who Can Benefit?
Play therapy is a well-established discipline based upon a number of psychological theories. Research, both qualitative and quantitative, shows that it is highly effective in many cases.
Play therapy is used to treat problems that are interfering with the child’s normal development. Reasons for treatment include, but are not limited to; developmental struggles, temper tantrums, aggressive behaviour, regressive behaviours, attachment issues, separation anxiety, difficulties with sleep or nightmares, anxiety, depression, families experiencing separation/divorce, and children who have experienced sexual or physical abuse, neglect, or the loss of a family member.
What does a typical session look like?
The playroom is filled with a collection of puppets, toys, games, sensory toys, art and craft materials, and figures that are symbols for numerous themes and archetypes The use of toys enables children to transfer anxieties, fears, fantasies, and guilt to objects rather than people. In the process, children explore and project their own feelings and reactions because play enables children to distance themselves from traumatic experiences and events. For example, the little kitten is sad and worried when they are away from their mom is something a child with separation anxiety may express. The therapist will verbally reflect back to the child his or her behaviours, thoughts, and emotions. This validates the child’s inner experience and helps organize both their experiences and their emotions. The therapist works to bring unconscious processes to conscious awareness. With the therapist’s support the child is invited to explore different perspectives, experiment with resources and strategies and gain a sense of mastery over struggles.
The main goals, regardless of the issue, are to support children with the developmental expectations of their age group, regain their former level of functioning, enhance self-esteem and build the child’s coping resources. Often the child is given strategies to cope with difficulties they face in life and which they themselves cannot change— it can provide a more positive view of their life.
Play therapy is best suited to children two to twelve years of age. Family Counselling Centres welcomes children ages 4+, but we also understand that each situation is unique, and there may be a need for earlier support. Our clinicians are trained to not only work with your child but the entire network of caregivers in their life to strategize how to support your child’s success. Your clinician will discuss how this looks for your family once they gather details in your intake appointment.
Find out more about Play Therapy here.
