What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a process in which we build on the natural way children learn about themselves and their relationships, their play, to help them process through the issues and struggles in their lives. Children are encouraged to play as they wish while we create a safe and understanding environment to help guide them through the process.
Why play therapy?
First, children enjoy play; it is their natural mode of expression. Using play creates an environment that is most often enjoyable and low pressure. Second, children are unable to understand and talk about their feelings the way that adults do. For children, toys are their words and play is their language. We utilize play therapy to help children express what is troubling them.
Play Therapy is often used in treatment for:
- Behavioral problems, such as anger management, grief and loss, divorce and abandonment, and crisis and trauma.
- Behavioral disorders, such as anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), autism or pervasive developmental, academic and social developmental, physical and learning disabilities, and conduct disorders.
Research suggests Play Therapy is an effective mental health approach, regardless of age, gender, or the nature of the problem, and works best when a parent, family member, or caretaker is actively involved in the treatment process. For more information on play therapy including research citations please visit the American Play Therapy Association: