Play Therapy

Play Therapy allows children to take an active role in creating growth and change in resolving emotional or psychological challenges presented to them.

 

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• Behavioral Problems

• ADD/ADHD

• Anxiety

• Attachment Issues

• Adoption

• Anger

• Divorce

• Grief/Loss

• Self-esteem

• Depression

• Trauma and PTSD

 

 

What is Play Therapy?

 

The American Counseling Association defines Play Therapy as the, “use of play as a means of establishing rapport, uncovering what is troubling a person (often a child), and bringing about a solution.” This can be achieved through Child-Centered, Filial, Sandtray, Child-Parent Relationship Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Narrative Therapy, and Mindfulness techniques.

          “In the Play Therapy experience, toys are like the child’s words and play is the child’s language”

                   -Dr. Gary Landreth

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                                                                          Why Play Therapy?

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                                                                              Toys are a medium through which the child communicates,                                                                                learns, self-discovers, shares experiences, and forms a                                                                                        trusting therapeutic relationship. Play helps to serve as a                                                                                    bridge to therapy. Children utilize play to process and                                                                                        work through overwhelming feelings and emotions that                                                                                    can be confusing, problematic or that have caused trauma.                                                                                Through the play therapy process, children acquire                                                                                            effective communication skills and become more                                                                                                responsible for their own behavior.

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                                    Play Therapy Process

 

Alongside working with children, parents and caregivers are an

integral part of the therapy process. We recommend working

with the family system as part of the treatment process. Parent

sessions and family sessions occur every few weeks to update

regarding progress, discuss any recommendations, and to keep

the lines of communication open. Building connection and strengthening the

attachment between parent and child through play and other modes of therapy

are also part of the process. We believe working collaboratively with client and

families is key to the success of treatment.

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