The Benefits of Play Therapy for Children
Child-centered play therapy is done by licensed mental health professionals such as psychologists, psychiatrists, behavioral and occupational therapists, physical therapists, and even social workers.
This counseling process is mainly designed for children because they are still at the stage of improvement in processing their emotions and being able to express worries to parents or other significant adults.
What is Play Therapy?
The Association of Psychologists defines play therapy as a creative counseling process that enhances children’s capacity to express, explore and resolve concerning thoughts, feelings, experiences, worries and wishes in relevant manners.
While this can appear as ordinary playtime for children, a professional therapist would be able to observe and gain insights regarding a child’s current situation. With this, the therapist can assist the child in exploring unfamiliar emotions that can help in treating past traumas. In addition, children have the tendency to gain understanding and develop new coping skills that can help them correct misguided behaviors.
Benefits of Play Therapy
Although some children might be hesitant in attending play therapy sessions at first, their trust in therapists is likely to improve. Potential benefits of play therapy include:
Being responsible for self-behavior
Learning coping strategies and problem-solving skills
Respect and empathy for oneself and others
Ability to alleviate anxieties
Capacity to grasp a wide range of emotions
Improve social skills
Stronger bond with family
Encourage self-expression
Play therapy is also encouraged for children who are diagnosed with mental or physical illness which can support and uplift their wellbeing.
When Play Therapy is Used?
People of any age can benefit from play therapy but it is mostly exercised by children between the age of 3 and 12. It could also be advantageous in certain situations like:
When facing medical procedures, chronic illnesses, or palliative care
Children who have learning disabilities
Behavioral problems in school
Aggressive behavior
Specific family issues like divorce or separation of parents or death of a loved one
People experiencing traumatizing events
Domestic violence or abuse
Mental health problems
Eating disorders
Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
How Does Play Therapy work?
Communication gap exists between children and adults and it varies depending on the stage of the development of the child. To put it in simple terms, adults have better language skills than children. For this reason, children find it difficult to express themselves to be understood by an adult or they do not have an adult they can trust to express themselves. Hence, adults sometimes misinterpret children.
Children learn to better understand themselves, their surroundings, and the world through play. It is a time when they are free to express their feelings and emotions. Additionally, toys could act as symbols that can have greater value for children.
Therapists are able to join them in their own world, in this way, they become on the same level as them. Whilst playing, children are able to make themselves vulnerable and show what they’re feeling. Additionally, they are not forced to do or say anything but they will be guided to help them be able to communicate themselves in their own special ways.
Process of Play Therapy
The process of play therapy varies at the discretion of the therapist and the needs of the child. At first, a therapist can observe the child while playing, wherein they could also conduct separate interviews with the child, their parents, and their teachers. After such an assessment, the therapist would set therapeutic objectives, set limits on what is only necessary, and create a plan on how to better handle the child.
Play therapists give attention to how a child handles being separated from their parents, the way they play, and their reaction once their parents pick them up. The way a child reacts and interacts with a variety of toys and how their behavior changes throughout their experience of being accompanied by a therapist can say a lot about a child. Children can also use play as a way to act out fears, anxieties, coping mechanisms, healing, and problem-solving.
Observations made by therapists are able to guide them on how to undertake the next steps. Given that every child is different, the therapy will be made especially for their specific needs. As therapy goes on, reassessment of the child’s behavior and goals is inevitable. There can also be times when a therapist can opt to bring parents, siblings, or other family members into play therapy which is otherwise known as filial therapy. The focus of this type of therapy is to resolve conflicts, encourage healing and enhance family dynamics.
Play Therapy Techniques
On average, therapy sessions last from 30 mins to an hour that is held once a week or as recommended by the therapists. The number of sessions needed would vary depending on how the child responds to the counseling process and it could be done individually or by groups.
The sessions are done in a healthy environment where children would feel safe but limitations would still be set in place. Techniques a therapist may use include:
Storytelling
Role-playing
Utilizing toy phones
Inclusions of puppets, stuffed toys, and playful masks
Toys such as dolls and action figures
Arts and crafts
Water and sand play
Building blocks and construction toys
Dancing and creative movement
Musical play
Play Therapy for Adults
Play therapy could also be done by both teenagers and adults who find it difficult to express their inner selves and translate them into words. This would be most beneficial for adults who are affected by the following:
Cognitive disabilities
Dementia
Chronic illnesses, palliative and hospice care
Substance use
Experience of trauma and physical abuse
Anger management issues
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Has unresolved childhood issues
Cultivating a Therapeutic Relationship through Play Therapy
A major element that determines the success of a play therapy session is the establishment of a therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the child. This rapport-building is instrumental in creating a safe and secure environment that facilitates the child's self-expression.
In the initial sessions, the therapist intentionally aligns with the child's pace and comfort level. The child is allowed to lead the play, with the therapist acting as an observant and supportive participant. This interaction provides the therapist with significant clues about the child's feelings, experiences, and internal conflicts.
Gradually, the child builds trust in the therapist, feeling accepted and understood in their unique world. The therapist acknowledges the child's feelings and experiences without judgment, which empowers the child to open up further. This validation provides a solid foundation for the child to venture into their unexplored emotions and distressing experiences, all in the safe and supportive environment of the play therapy setting.
The therapeutic relationship also instills a sense of security in the child, enabling them to experiment with different behaviors and coping strategies. They are given the opportunity to test these strategies in the playroom, gain feedback, and adapt their responses accordingly.
About Us
Reframe Counseling is located in Holly Springs and Raleigh, North Carolina. We conduct counseling services and therapy sessions for people of all ages. Our services include counseling for children, counseling for teens, family therapy, parent counseling, and video therapy/teletherapy. Give your children the ability to express themselves to the best of their ability. Schedule an appointment with us today!
