Play
Therapy
Why Play Therapy?
Play is serious work for children. Play therapy can help children make sense of the world around them while they process and express their thoughts and feelings. Through play therapy children can also learn to respect themselves, learn that their feelings are acceptable, learn to be creative and resourceful, learn how to make choices, as well as help them to develop their capacity for self-control (Landreth, 2012).
What Happens in Play Therapy?
Play therapy usually occurs once a week, often on the
same day and time in a special place called the play therapy room.
The child usually directs the play around the issues, ideas, and feelings about which he/she is confused. The child expresses his or her difficult issues by having the toys take on various roles, feelings, or actions. Play therapists are trained to read the meaning behind various themes the child may play out as well as how to respond to the child’s issues through play. The therapist talks with the child about his or her play to help put
words to their feelings. The therapist accepts all feelings, helps the child label them, and encourages more appropriate
Children communicate through play. Play is the language of children, and the toys are their words.
ways of expression.
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