Why Play Therapy Works
If you have ever tried to get a straight answer out of a middle schooler or tried to follow the narrative of a story being told by a toddler, you might already know that kids are still developing verbal communication skills. Of course, that isn’t their fault, childhood is all about developing those key communication skills, so it’s normal for most kids to struggle with some aspect of communication. In particular, many kids have a hard time describing their feelings, and in some cases, identifying them.
Play therapy is a therapy technique used to help children express themselves, develop important skills, and process trauma in a healthy, productive environment. Whether aware of it or not, kids express their innermost thoughts and feelings through their play. When watched by a trained professional, the way a kid plays can help to reveal struggles at home, mental health problems, traumatic events, and more.
What Is Play Therapy?
To the untrained eye, play therapy can look like nothing more than a kid using their imagination, but there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes! Play therapy involves creating a comfortable welcoming environment in which a child can engage in some kind of play (we’ll cover different types of play therapy a little later!). Once engaged in the activity, the child is allowed to let their imagination run wild - with a little guidance from their counselor, of course. A trained therapist will either play with the child or observe, asking questions and helping the child to come to healthy conclusions, process their play, or develop important coping skills.
The way a child plays, the toys they choose, and even how they respond to play therapy can reveal their thoughts, emotions, and struggles. For example, if a child is anxious about being left alone, they may isolate their toys from one another, or act out the experience of being left and reuniting. Similarly, a child that has seen or experienced violence or volatility may create evil characters in their play or imagine a conflict between their toys.
While play therapy can reveal problems or stress occurring in a child’s life, it can also provide solutions. Through play, children can learn coping skills, process anxiety and trauma, and begin putting voice to their innermost feelings, fears, and ideas. Play therapy gives kids a platform to share openly, and in a way that makes sense to them. Basically, play therapy provides therapists, parents, school counselors, and other mental health practitioners a window into the mind of a child.
Does Play Therapy Actually Work?
Yes! While the idea of play therapy might sound a little silly at first, there is tons of evidence to support the use of this innovative technique with young children, adolescents, and even some adults! Play therapy lets kids be in their most natural environment: their imagination. In the safety of their self-made world, children are free to express themselves without editing. Play therapy puts kids and adults on the same level and creates a common language to help improve communication. Because kids don’t have to learn how to play, play therapy comes naturally and takes out some of the stress of interacting with a therapist or counselor.
Once a child has started to share their feelings or reveal traumatic experiences, the therapist can then create a course of treatment. Often, more play therapy is recommended as a method of helping the child to work through their complex emotions, and begin practicing coping skills in a comfortable environment.
Types of Play Therapy
Play therapy comes in many forms and is often dictated by the needs or preferences of the child. Many play therapists use a wide range of toys, techniques, and activities to engage with their young patients, and may pivot their methods depending on the specific qualities of the child. In general, most play therapy sessions last between half an hour to an hour, and involve some sort of imaginative playtime or storytelling.
A play therapist may help direct the play by gently guiding or instructing the child towards a specific goal, or may allow for free play. In some cases, the therapist may join in on the game or playtime, while in other cases the therapist may act as a passive (and supportive) observer. Regardless, the most important aspect of play therapy is a sense of comfort and safety, since children will be most honest when they feel fully supported and free to be themselves.
Some common techniques used in play therapy include:
Storytelling
Role-playing; Puppets and plays
Playing with toys like action figures, dolls, and stuffed animals
Arts and crafts
Dance and music therapy
Water play
Sand play
Have you been seeking an experienced play therapist for your child? Look no further than Whole Self Therapy. Offering play therapy in Philadelphia for patients seeking help for their child’s mental health, take the first step and get in touch today to learn how we can help.