Why Play Therapy?
What is play therapy?
Play therapy is a theoretically based mental health intervention used primarily for children aged 3 to 12. Recognizing that play is a child's natural medium for communication, play therapists use it to help them express and resolve their problems. Through this process, children convey their feelings, needs, experiences, and hopes, much the same way adults use verbal language.
How is play therapy different from children's everyday play?
Play therapy is a specialized therapeutic approach within the mental health field. Registered play therapists are dedicated mental health professionals who hold at least a master’s degree in a mental health discipline (such as psychology or counseling) and have completed rigorous, additional training and supervision specifically in play therapy. This extensive preparation equips therapists with the knowledge and experience needed to effectively guide children. Our role is to help children communicate through play to process challenging experiences, understand their feelings, and resolve conflicts. The toys in our playroom are thoughtfully and purposefully selected to facilitate this healing process.
How can play therapy help my child?
Play therapy doesn't just help children process past experiences; it can also prepare them for predictable future situations in their lives or the lives of their family. These might include starting school, moving to a new home, the arrival of a new sibling, or any other significant change.
Scientific research has consistently demonstrated the effectiveness of play therapy in treating numerous childhood mental health issues and developing crucial social and emotional skills.
Some of the key advantages of this type of therapy include facilitating the development of a rich emotional vocabulary in children. This allows them to better identify and name their emotions and, consequently, gain greater control over them. It also helps them better understand other people and the world around them. Furthermore, play therapy encourages self-awareness and self-acceptance, contributing to the development of a healthy self-esteem that enables them to trust their abilities, approach difficult tasks, and persevere.
If you would like to learn more about how play therapy can help your child, please call us or fill out the form below to schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation.