Play Therapy for Kids
An evidence based modality that meets children, tweens, and teens where they’re developmentally at to foster growth and positive change.
Talking about feelings can be hard, playing makes them more accessible and helps develop healthy coping skills.
Your child or teen seems constantly worried, sad or even angry. When you ask them what’s going on they’re not able to tell you, or you get the frustrating response of, “I don’t know.” You try to ask them questions or engage them in conversation and it seems like they’re either not paying attention or they’re not understanding the important messages or help you’re trying to give them.
Your child might be having trouble at school but when you try to figure out what’s going on they don’t remember or they’re not able to describe it in a way that makes sense to you. You know your child got in a fight with their sibling or friend, but you can’t understand who started it, or even what the fight was about!
Children and teens’ feelings are complex and they don’t always understand why they are feeling them, or even what feelings they’re having! Their brains are in a constant state of development, meaning they make choices that sometimes don’t make sense to the rational adults around them.
Play therapy is an evidenced-based modality that can help children and teens, 3-14 years old, express themselves, even when they don’t necessarily have the words, or understand what they are experiencing. Through play, children can externalize their internal struggles, fears, and conflicts, enabling the therapist to gain insights into their emotional world.
At Reflect Therapy, our Registered Play Therapist, Rebecca Self, utilizes a blend of directive and non directive play therapy theories to tailor a unique treatment plan for your child. Schedule a free consultation call to learn more about how play therapy can benefit your child or teen.
Play Therapy can Help with…
Anxiety and depression
Anger and emotional outbursts
Focus and Self Regulation
Traumas and life events- such as moving, divorce, hospitalizations, illness, car wrecks, and so much more
Social Skills
Self-Esteem
Kids don’t communicate like this.
How play therapy bridges the communication gap for children.
Play therapy bridges the communication gap for children by providing a safe and non-threatening environment where they can express themselves freely. Children often struggle to verbalize their thoughts and feelings, but through play, they can communicate their emotions and experiences in a way that is both natural and comfortable for them. Trained play therapists are skilled at understanding the language of play and can use this understanding to help children process their emotions, develop problem-solving skills, and achieve optimal growth. By observing and interacting with children during play, therapists can gain valuable insights into their emotional and psychological state, allowing them to tailor interventions that promote healing and development.
What is the play Therapy process like?
“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.”-Fred Rogers
Play therapy utilizes the language of play to help children express their thoughts and emotions in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Children engage in various play activities, providing therapists with insights into their psychological world. This flexible approach accommodates different developmental stages and allows children to process emotions, develop coping strategies, and build crucial social and emotional skills. Its effectiveness lies in addressing a range of childhood challenges, fostering emotional regulation, improving communication, and promoting resilience, making it a valuable tool for helping children navigate their emotional landscape.
faqs
Common questions about play therapy
-
Understanding the fundamentals of play therapy and its role in child development.
Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses play as a primary medium of communication and expression. It is an evidence-based modality that is specifically designed to meet children, tweens, and teens where they are developmentally, fostering growth and positive change. Play therapy is based on the idea that play is a natural and essential part of childhood development, and that it can be used therapeutically to help children work through mental health issues, resolve psychosocial difficulties, and develop healthy coping skills. By engaging in play, children can explore their emotions, understand their experiences, and learn to navigate the complexities of their inner world in a safe and supportive environment.
An evidence based modality that meets children, tweens, and teens where they’re developmentally at to foster growth and positive change.
-
Identifying the individuals who can gain the most from play therapy.
Play therapy can benefit a wide range of individuals, including children, tweens, and teens who are struggling with mental health issues, psychosocial difficulties, or developmental challenges. Children who are experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, or behavioral problems can particularly benefit from play therapy. Additionally, play therapy can be beneficial for younger children who are struggling with social skills, emotional regulation, or attachment issues. A registered play therapist can work with children and their families to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses their unique needs and goals. By providing a supportive and understanding environment, play therapy helps children discover their strengths, develop healthy coping skills, and achieve optimal growth.
What Can Play Therapy Help:
Anxiety and depression
Anger and emotional outbursts
Focus and Self Regulation
Traumas and life events- such as moving, divorce, hospitalizations, illness, car wrecks, and so much more
Social Skills
Self-Esteem
-
Play therapy is a structured, theoretically based approach to therapy that builds on the normal communicative and learning processes of children. Therapists strategically use play to help children express what is troubling them when they do not have the verbal language to express their thoughts and feelings. Through play, therapists can help children learn more adaptive behaviors when there are emotional or social skills deficits. The play therapy process involves the use of toys, games, and activities to create a safe and comfortable environment for the child to explore their feelings and experiences. Scheduling a play therapy session can be crucial for a child's healing and growth.
“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning.”-Fred Rogers
Play therapy utilizes the language of play to help children express their thoughts and emotions in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Children engage in various play activities during therapy sessions, providing therapists with insights into their psychological world. This flexible approach accommodates different developmental stages and allows children to process emotions, develop coping strategies, and build crucial social and emotional skills. Its effectiveness lies in addressing a range of childhood challenges, fostering emotional regulation, improving communication, and promoting resilience, making it a valuable tool for helping children navigate their emotional landscape.
-
Playing and play therapy may seem very alike on the surface as they both may involve toys, games, act and other activities. However, play therapy is different in that a trained therapist interacts, observes, and guides the child through the process to reach their treatment goals. There may be toys and games used, but they are utilized to help a child express and integrate the goals they are working on related to therapy.
-
Older kids, tweens, and teens can still benefit from play therapy! Often these sessions may look like traditional talk therapy with playful elements brought in, such as games or art projects to work on interventions or treatment goals. Teens and tweens may also feel more comfortable in a play therapy setting than a traditional talk therapy setting, since they are allowed to express themselves in a variety of ways.
-
Caregivers and parents are a huge part of the play therapy process! Our Registered Play Therapist, Rebecca Self, will conduct a parent intake session with you first to learn more about your child’s history, treatment goals, and explain the play therapy process, to answer any questions you may have. Book a free consultation with Rebecca today to learn more!
Ready to get started?