What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a therapeutic approach primarily used with children to help them express their feelings, process difficult experiences, and improve behaviors through play. It uses toys, games, art, and other creative mediums to foster communication in a safe, non-threatening environment. This method is particularly effective for addressing issues like trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and behavioral challenges.
Indications for Play Therapy
Play therapy is commonly used for children aged 3 to 12 going through emotional and mental issues but can also benefit older adolescents and even adults in certain cases. It is particularly helpful for:
- Children with behavioral problems
- Those experiencing trauma, abuse, or neglect
- Kids struggling with grief or significant life changes
- Neurodivergent children or those with developmental delays
Types of Play Therapy
The two main types of play therapy employed by play therapists are:
- Directive Play Therapy: In directive play therapy, the therapist takes an active role in guiding the session by selecting specific toys, activities, or games to help the child express themselves. They will usually give specific instructions and oversee the child as they go through it.
- Non-Directive Play Therapy: In non-directive play therapy, the child leads the session, choosing their activities while the therapist provides a supportive and non-judgmental environment. The therapist leaves the child to take part in play activities they may enjoy and express themselves with limited interference.
What Happens During a Play Therapy Session?
In a play therapy session, the child engages in play to explore and express thoughts, emotions, and experiences in a safe, supportive environment. Depending on the approach, the child may lead the activities (non-directive) or follow the therapist's guidance (directive). The therapist may use techniques that involve activities such as role-playing, arts and crafts, blocks and construction toys, sand play, or games to allow the child to communicate in a way that feels natural and non-threatening. The therapist observes and interprets the play to identify emotional or behavioral patterns, providing empathy and support to help the child process feelings. Sessions typically last 30 minutes to an hour and are held once a week or so. Each session typically ends with a calm transition and progress may be shared with parents to support the child’s growth at home.
Benefits of Play Therapy
Benefits of play therapy include:
- Helps children cope with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, or behavioral issues
- Encourages emotional regulation and self-expression
- Improves problem-solving skills and social interaction
- Strengthens the parent-child relationship when family involvement is part of therapy
Summary
Play therapy is a therapeutic approach primarily used with children to help them express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through play, which is their natural way of communicating and exploring the world. It is especially effective for children who might struggle to articulate their emotions verbally. A trained play therapist facilitates the sessions, observes the child’s behavior and interactions with the toys, and uses these observations to help the child work through emotional and psychological challenges.