What is Play Therapy?

“Toys are a children’s words and play is their language.” –Garry Landreth

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” –Fred Rogers “Mr. Rogers

Sounds fun, doesn’t it? It absolutely is! At the same time, it’s a therapeutic approach that is not well known or understood. Play therapy is primarily utilized with children; although, many play therapy techniques can be used with all ages. Just like adolescents and adults sometimes need a space to process through various issues, so do children. Children's young brains are still developing and, therefore, not fully equipped to verbally express inner feelings, especially related to life experiences. That’s where play therapy steps in. Play therapy allows children to use toys and props to process what is going on in their internal and external worlds.

The relief you feel after you leave a talk therapy session or when you vent to a friend is the process of externalizing and releasing more complicated thoughts and feelings kept inside. Children feel that same relief when they use play to process through a particular issue or big feeling. So, another question you may have is, “Can my child truly benefit by attending play therapy sessions? We have a million toys at home.” The answer to your question is, YES, every child can benefit from play therapy. In fact, research shows that children who have participated in play therapy learn problem solving skills, self-control, self-respect, appropropriate vs. inappropriate behaviors, increased ability to communicate, increased emotional vocabulary and the list goes on and on.

Now, let’s talk about the role of a registered play therapist (RPT) . Depending on the child’s presenting concern, the assigned play therapist assists the child in reaching his or her goals via directive and/or non-directive play therapy. Directive play therapy is geared towards addressing a specific concern(s), and is typically therapist led. For example, Carter (age 9) may be struggling with bullying at school. A directive approach might include asking Carter to draw a picture of what it’s like to be bullied. After Carter has completed his drawing, Carter and the play therapist can further process the events occurring at school. In addition, the play therapist may then implement a game or activity geared towards increasing self-esteem while also providing psychoeducation around bullying and how to get help. One disadvantage of directive play is that it doesn’t leave room to process issues not otherwise mentioned or known about.

Non-directive play therapy or child centered play therapy (CCPT) allows the child to lead the session. This is the most popular and heavily researched approach to play therapy. Remember, children naturally play with toys to help them process through internal conflict, life experiences, and confusing concepts. Non-directive gives children the freedom to process as they go. As the child leads, the play therapist’s primary goal is to provide support and guidance while also working to instill many of the previously mentioned skills. Because each child is unique, the play therapist may implement a non-directive and/or directive approach depending on his or her needs. Just like navigating the complexities of adult sessions, the play therapist is trained to know when it’s best to intervene and redirect in a child’s play session.

Every play session looks unique from one session to the next because not every child plays the same. However, when a little one arrives to session they will consistently experience three things: a safe space, unconditional positive regard, and unwavering support.

 Resources: https://www.a4pt.org/