Play Therapy
“Enter into your children’s play and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, and souls meet” -Virginia Axline
What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a form of therapy typically used for children as young as age 3 to about age 12. Play therapy techniques can also be used with adolescents and adults. Play therapy helps children to address and resolve their own problems in the way they communicate easiest- through the use of toys. It builds on the natural way that children learn about themselves and their relationships in the world around them.
What does Play Therapy help?
Play therapy helps children:
- Become more responsible for their behaviors and develop more successful strategies
- Develop new and creative solutions to problems
- Develop respect and acceptance of self and others
- Learn to experience and express emotion
- Process any traumas they may have encountered
- Cultivate empathy and respect for thoughts and feelings of others
- Learn new social skills and relational skills with family
- Develop self-efficacy and a better assuredness about their abilities
What problems does play therapy address?
Play therapy helps children who suffer with:
- problem behaviors in school
- aggressive or angry behavior
- family issues, like divorce, separation, or death of a close family member
- natural disasters or traumatic events
- domestic violence, abuse, or neglect
- anxiety, depression, grief
- eating and toileting disorders
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Play therapy aims to help a child’s growth and development. The practice of play therapy requires extensive, specialized education, training and experience. With my knowledge and background, I am confident that you and I can set your child up for success. I work with children as young as 4 years old and always incorporate the caregivers into treatment.
If you’re interested in learning more about play therapy and how it can help your child grow, contact me today for a free consultation.