Lots of people seek therapy for their children, but with limited knowledge of what is play therapy? Parents may assume that a therapy session with a kid will involve having lengthy discussions with them to determine why they act the way they do. Some might suppose the therapist ought to be firm and instruct the kid the right way to conduct themselves. Well, on the contrary, there's an even more effective way to handle kids which is through play therapy.

What is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a special treatment whereby the therapists utilize toys or art to get the child to open up through play to observe, study, detect and provide interventions. These strategies are appropriately utilized when watching the child play. And by monitoring the child, they are able to manage their emotional, mental, and behavioral issues.

Play therapy is a significantly organized and well-structured type of play. It offers the child a healthy, balanced and soothing environment while on the other hand makes it entertaining, to operate on their mental health and fitness.

There exist several types of techniques employed in play therapy. Any of these techniques are utilized in accordance with the child's psychological and also emotional desires. The therapist may choose to utilize a directive or a non-directive approach considering the desires of the child.

Play Therapy on its own features numerous therapeutic powers. The play is commonly used in an ideal way to aid the child to impart and expose the hidden challenges and problems. As the child does not possess a significant vocabulary to convey their feelings and thoughts, play therapy provides them with the ideal medium. It offers a non-threatening and peculiar atmosphere which enables the child to express his mind's contents. Therapists can help the kid to open out, discover, and teach adaptive behaviors as well as educate them on how to cope with their emotionally charged or social deficits.

Why Play Therapy?

A lot of parents query why to play in therapy rather than talk therapy. Kids communicate better during play. They do not possess the advanced vocabulary like adults do, and their struggles appear naturally in their play. Play therapy assists the children to express exactly what is troubling them when verbal vocabulary to communicate their feelings and emotion fails. However, that is only half of the equation. Children will need to develop an intimate relationship with their therapist. This is important to treatment. Change comes into effect when these techniques are combined.

Who is Play Therapy for?

Play therapy is generally utilized with children between the ages of three through twelve. In spite of this, play therapy may also be considered a good choice with adolescents. Play therapy is employed to address a range of issues which includes family dissolution, grief, anger management, loss, trauma, etc. It is equally used to manage emotional disorders including depression, autism, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), learning and physical disabilities. Additionally, it is used in the treatment of children whose challenges are pertaining to life stressors.

Benefits of Play Therapy for a Child

Treatment plans through recreational therapy have been used as a primary intervention or supportive therapy for multiple mental cases, which include:

• Anger management
• Mourning and loss
• Divorce and family dissolution
• Crisis and trauma

And also for the modification of behavioral stutters such as anxiety, depression, Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism or pervasive developmental disabilities, academic, social, physical, and learning disabilities, and behavioral disturbances. 

When Does a Child Need Therapy?

As a child gets older, they can possibly encounter difficulty with coping. Sometimes it is observed in acting out behaviors, or emotionality, or being withdrawn and lonely. This may be noticed at home, school, or among friends. They may display concerning behaviors, while some children may require more support than others to discover ways to handle their emotions. Typically, if your child's teacher is worried about your child’s behavior, play therapy may be appropriate. 

What Does the Therapist Need to Know From the Parent?

Therapists know that you, the parent, are the expert pertaining to your kid, they as well are a partner in assisting your child's mental health and wellness. It is essential to report issues to the therapist. Even when you are unsure that an incident under consideration is pertinent to counseling, it is recommended that you contact the therapist and discuss the incident.

Can I Ask My Child About Their Therapy Session?

Perhaps it is quite tempting to ask your son or daughter "what they learned" right after the session. If possible, kindly stay away from that, your child may feel pressured to tell when they are still processing in their mind. The therapist will inform parents should anything showed up in session concerning the child's well-being or any other crucial information.

It is imperative that you value your child's privacy - because this is regarded as an essential means to allow children gain genuine self-expression. Have patience and keep in mind that development requires valuable time and children needs to be permitted to work at their pace - to be able to develop a safe and trusting therapeutic connection also to make sure that objectives are achieved.

For more information or to schedule an appointment online please visit our Child Counseling page or call us at 919-647-4600