What is Play Therapy?
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Play therapy is what talk therapy is for adult for kids. Instead of using big language skills that might not be fully developed kids use toys to help them express their feelings, thoughts, needs, behaviors, and experiences with specially selected toys.
Play therapy is used to address anxiety, depression, attention deficit/ hyperactivity ( ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, academic and social impairment, physical and learning disabilities, and conduct disorders. Research shows that play therapy works best if caregivers and or parents are involved in the process (Landreth, 2002). |
Who is it for?
This type of therapy is most effective for children as young as 2.5 up to 10 years of age. However this is dependent on developmental age. Typically children who have trouble expressing themselves verbally find play therapy a useful tool to express needs and feelings through play when communication breakdown is a struggle.
Aren't They Just Playing?
Often, children are not aware they are learning and growing in the moment because it does feel like play. Similar to adult sessions who feel they are "just talking". Sessions with an adult talking to a clinician is not the same as talking to a family member or friend. The same goes for a child playing with a clinician. When in session with a trained clinician the conversation or play is tailored to help facilitate growth and change.
Play can be viewed as it's own language and a play therapist is the translator to help you understand your child's way of communicating. By working with you and your child, your play therapist will help you understand your child's unique needs. In turn helping you connect and relate better to your family as a unit.
Play can be viewed as it's own language and a play therapist is the translator to help you understand your child's way of communicating. By working with you and your child, your play therapist will help you understand your child's unique needs. In turn helping you connect and relate better to your family as a unit.
How does this work? |
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Children are able to play out their world and their experiences in a safe place without the fear of judgment and the threat of real life consequences. By playing out what they have been through and how they felt in different experiences they are able to feel more in control of their emotions and thoughts. This in turn allows them to grow and develop real life skills that are not always available for them in day to day interactions. By giving children a way to utilize their won inner resources they can find ways to develop a sense of security to use moving forward.
The relationship between the child and play therapist is different than ones they may typically experience with a teacher or caregiver. The key differences are the therapist providing unconditional positive regard, empathy, congruence, genuine, and a focus on overall growth for the child. The therapist will focus on being patient, kind, encouraging, respectful, and understanding.
By validating the client's experiences, feelings, accepting the child's behaviors, clarifying the perception of the child, and reflecting the feeling and verbal responses of the child to acknowledge interest of the child, this helps them become aware of their own emotions, increase freedom of expression, increased self esteem. In the presence of these qualities the toys and room become a place where children can experience themselves capable. (Ray, 2011). In the presence of all of these elements combined children will be able to show how they feel through the toys and what they do with them in the room, through the stories played out in the open faced in a safe manner. Through the relationship the child and therapist are able to facilitate change.
The relationship between the child and play therapist is different than ones they may typically experience with a teacher or caregiver. The key differences are the therapist providing unconditional positive regard, empathy, congruence, genuine, and a focus on overall growth for the child. The therapist will focus on being patient, kind, encouraging, respectful, and understanding.
By validating the client's experiences, feelings, accepting the child's behaviors, clarifying the perception of the child, and reflecting the feeling and verbal responses of the child to acknowledge interest of the child, this helps them become aware of their own emotions, increase freedom of expression, increased self esteem. In the presence of these qualities the toys and room become a place where children can experience themselves capable. (Ray, 2011). In the presence of all of these elements combined children will be able to show how they feel through the toys and what they do with them in the room, through the stories played out in the open faced in a safe manner. Through the relationship the child and therapist are able to facilitate change.
Long Term Results
Bratton, Ray, and Rhine (2005) found a need to for effective treatments for children suffering from emotional and behavioral disorders. Throughout the lifespan an individual can have long-term consequences resulting from untreated childhood disorders but also become a larger cost to society (Bratton et al., 2005). Play therapy is a responsive technique that takes into account a child’s developmental needs and demonstrates effectiveness is children's behaviors, social adjustments, and personality(Bratton et al., 2005). In addition the findings of research show that increase in the number of sessions also increases the efficacy of play therapy showing more natural results than quick symptomatic changes (Bratton et al., 2005).
REFERENCES
- Bratton, S. C., Ray, D. C., & Rhine T. (2005). The efficacy of play therapy with children: A meta-analysis of treatment outcomes. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice 36(4), 376-390.
- Landreth, G. L. (2002). Play therapy, the art of the relationship. New York, NY: Routledge.
- Ray, D. C. (2011). Advanced play therapy, essential conditions, knowledge, and skills for child practice. New York, NY: Routledge.