Why Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a powerful tool to help children process their feelings. From the outside, it may seem like a child is “just playing.” However, in a structured play therapy session, the therapist assists the child with using the play to process their own inner thoughts and feelings. The therapist is engaged with the child while observing their play themes and reflecting on what the child may say or do in the session.
Play Rooms Build Confidence
In the playroom, the child is in control and this assists with building self-confidence. Play not only allows the child to gain positive rapport with their therapist but provides an outlet of expression that is not intimidating to the child. As Dr. Garry Landreth (Center for Play Therapy) stated “Toys are children’s words and play is their language.”
Play Therapy To Assist Internal Processing
Play therapy allows children to process everything from sadness or anxiety to grief or traumatic experiences. Many times children are able to re-enact real-life scenarios they have experienced through play to assist with internal processing. This allows children to share their experiences freely without feeling intimidated. For children with ADHD, it can help them learn how to channel their energy in a positive manner. This is achieved through appropriate limits set by the therapist in the play space. In addition to traditional play therapy methods, the use of art, games, and sensory items enhances the therapeutic experience for children in treatment.
