What is Play Therapy?

Play Therapy uses toys and other play materials to help children express and process their emotions, thoughts, experiences and challenges to create change.

The Key Elements of Play Therapy include:

  1. Therapeutic Environment: Play therapy typically occurs in a specially equipped room that provides a variety of play materials such as toys, art supplies, and games. This environment is designed to be safe and supportive, encouraging free expression.

  2. Therapeutic Relationship: A trained play therapist establishes a trusting and secure relationship with the child. This relationship is fundamental to the therapeutic process, providing the child with a sense of safety and unconditional acceptance.

  3. Expression and Exploration: Through play, children can express their emotions, explore their thoughts, and make sense of their experiences. This process can help them communicate issues they might not be able to articulate verbally.

  4. Assessment and Intervention: Play therapists observe the child's play behavior to gain insights into their emotional and psychological state. These observations inform the therapeutic interventions tailored to address the child's specific needs.

Benefits of Play Therapy

  • Emotional Regulation: Play Therapy helps children understand and manage their emotions.

  • Behavioral Improvement: Play Therapy can address and modify problematic behaviors.

  • Enhanced Coping Skills: Play Therapy equips children with strategies to deal with stress and challenges.

  • Improved Social Skills: Play Therapy facilitates better communication and relationship-building skills.

  • Healing from Trauma: Play Therapy assists children in processing and recovering from traumatic experiences.

Enter into children’s play, and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, & souls meet
— Virginia Axline

To learn more about why Play Therapy works click here.