What is Play therapy?
When kids or preteens are hurting they don't usually come to the adults in their lives to tell them. Instead, we see acting out, behaviors at school, excessive daydreaming, nightmares, withdrawal and inappropriate reactions. Because kids don't usually have the vocabulary to articulate why they are feeling the way they are, we utilize play to help them acknowledge their reality and work through whatever trauma has disturbed them. Children express themselves through play and metaphor.
The first step is to provide a safe, nurturing environment for the child, where judgement is suspended, but the child's safety is paramount. Patience is required here, as defenses may have been built up by adults belittling or instructing them that what they think or feel is "wrong." Our shared goal is to encourage a healthy self-esteem while the child "plays" and enjoys interactions of their choosing.
Through games, puppetry, sand play, aggressive play, art, dress-up and other interventions, children can find a safe way to demonstrate their fears, anxiety, stresses and traumas. The role of the therapist is to bolster the child's creative impulses based on history or wishful thinking and channel destructive thoughts and behaviors into healthy self-regard and assertiveness.
Parents or caregivers are always consulted at the beginning of play therapy and are given updates as appropriate. Kids are informed before any disclosures are made, to allow them to be part of the process. It is very important to be able to talk with your child's play therapist about concerns you may have.
The first step is to provide a safe, nurturing environment for the child, where judgement is suspended, but the child's safety is paramount. Patience is required here, as defenses may have been built up by adults belittling or instructing them that what they think or feel is "wrong." Our shared goal is to encourage a healthy self-esteem while the child "plays" and enjoys interactions of their choosing.
Through games, puppetry, sand play, aggressive play, art, dress-up and other interventions, children can find a safe way to demonstrate their fears, anxiety, stresses and traumas. The role of the therapist is to bolster the child's creative impulses based on history or wishful thinking and channel destructive thoughts and behaviors into healthy self-regard and assertiveness.
Parents or caregivers are always consulted at the beginning of play therapy and are given updates as appropriate. Kids are informed before any disclosures are made, to allow them to be part of the process. It is very important to be able to talk with your child's play therapist about concerns you may have.
Sand tray and sand play can help imagine strengths to help kids (and adults) cope.