Introduction

 .... TOYS ARE THE CHILD’S WORDS! 

As a parent, teacher or childcare provider, it’s important to understand that children go through different stressors that make it difficult for them to communicate. If you have noticed that a child has been misbehaving at home, grades have plummeted, there has been a sudden increase in fear or a child is filled with anger there are options that could be recommended for parents to address those issues. One valuable option is Play Therapy. In this blog post, you will learn: What is play therapy? How is used? Age groups and resources.

What is Play Therapy:

Play therapy is a meaningful experience for children. It is structured in an environment where a child is free to play with toys. In play therapy, children are able to express their feelings, and emotions through the use of play. Normally, a play therapy session will be 30-45 minutes with a licensed therapist. The therapist's role is to observe the child’s behaviors and allow the child to explore the playroom freely, with little to no rules. Through play therapy, children learn to communicate with others, express feelings, modify behavior, develop problem-solving skills, and learn a variety of ways of relating to others.

How Does Play Therapy Work:

Children are referred for play therapy to resolve their problems (Carmichael; 2006; Schaefer, 1993). Often, children have used up their own problem-solving tools, and they misbehave, may act out at home, with friends, and at school (Landreth, 2002). Play therapy allows trained mental health practitioners who specialize in play therapy, to assess and understand children's play. Further, play therapy is utilized to help children cope with difficult emotions and find solutions to problems (Moustakas, 1997; Reddy, Files-Hall, & Schaefer, 2005). By confronting problems in the clinical Play Therapy setting, children find healthier solutions. Play therapy allows children to change the way they think about, feel toward, and resolve their concerns (Kaugars & Russ, 2001). Even the most troubling problems can be confronted in play therapy and lasting resolutions can be discovered, rehearsed, mastered and adapted into lifelong strategies (Russ, 2004).

Why is play therapy important:

Play therapy is important for children as it explores a child’s emotions and behaviors. Play therapy also addresses a child’s perception of self and others who are part of their world. This helps to see how the child reacts to other relationships. This method is important as it helps the child gain insight into their intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships. Children frequently need to feel accepted, a feeling of needing to belong. “By observing the reaction of others to their behavior, children decide how to gain significance for themselves and fit into different groups. (Adlerian theory packet)

Who will benefit from play therapy:

 Play therapy benefits anyone that has the mental capacity that a child does or has issues that primarily revolve around unresolved childhood issues, but it is traditionally used for children at the age of 3 to 12 years old ( Landreth,2002). Play therapy is used for the following:

• Bereavement / Loss
• Separated/Divorced Parents
• Delayed language development
• Behavioral and Communication Problems
• Autistic Spectrum
• Withdrawn
• Trauma or Abuse
• Nightmares
• Emotional Stress
• Anxiety/ Phobias
• Bullies/ Bullies

 

Who can access this type of therapy: 

Play therapy is accessible to all children. On average, there will be 20 sessions, lasting  30-50 minutes weekly. However, the therapist will determine the number of sessions that will be needed depending on the individual case.

 Resources:

We have provided locations in the Sacramento region that practice play therapy for your resources:

Yolo Family Service Agency
West Sacramento Office
3050 Beacon Blvd, Suite 101
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Ph: (916) 375-1254
http://yolofamily.org/lang/en/services/children/

Kid Counseling Sacramento
3406 American River Drive, Suite D
Sacramento, CA 95864
Ph: (916) 448 -1812
https://kidcounselingsacramento.com/contact-us 


Find a play therapist suitable for your child: Association for Play Therapy