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What are the benefits of play therapy?
What is play therapy & how does it work?
What are the positive outcomes of play therapy?
Feb 8, 2022 · Play therapy helps children: Take responsibility for their own behaviors and develop more successful strategies. Find new, creative solutions to problems. Respect and accept themselves and others. Experience and express their emotions. Cultivate empathy and respect for others. Learn new social skills and relational skills.
- What is play therapy?
- Benefits of play therapy
- When play therapy is used
- How does play therapy work?
- Play therapy techniques
- Examples of play therapy
- Play therapy for adults
- Takeaway
Play therapy is a form of therapy used primarily for children. That’s because children may not be able to process their own emotions or articulate problems to parents or other adults.
While it may look like an ordinary playtime, play therapy can be much more than that.
A trained therapist can use playtime to observe and gain insights into a child’s problems. The therapist can then help the child explore emotions and deal with unresolved trauma. Through play, children can learn new coping mechanisms and how to redirect inappropriate behaviors.
Play therapy is practiced by a variety of licensed mental health professionals, like psychologists and psychiatrists. It’s also practiced by behavioral and occupational therapists, physical therapists, and social workers.
According to the professional organization Play Therapy International, up to 71 percent of children referred to play therapy may experience positive change.
While some children might start off with some hesitation, trust in the therapist tends to grow. As they become more comfortable and their bond strengthens, the child may become more creative or more verbal in their play.
Some of the potential benefits of play therapy are:
•taking more responsibility for certain behaviors
•developing coping strategies and creative problem-solving skills
•self-respect
Although people of all ages can benefit from play therapy, it’s typically used with children between the ages of 3 and 12. Play therapy may be helpful in a variety of circumstances, such as:
•facing medical procedures, chronic illness, or palliative care
•developmental delay or learning disabilities
•problem behaviors in school
•aggressive or angry behavior
•family issues, like divorce, separation, or death of a close family member
There’s a bit of a communication gap between children and adults. Depending on age and stage of development, children simply don’t have the language skills of adults. They may feel something, but in many cases, they either can’t express it to an adult or don’t have a trusted adult to express it to.
On the other end, adults can misinterpret or completely miss the child’s verbal and nonverbal cues.
Children learn to understand the world and their place in it through play. It’s where they’re free to act out their inner feelings and deepest emotions. Toys can act as symbols and take on greater meaning — if you know what to look for.
Since the child can’t adequately express themselves in the adult world, the therapist joins the child in their world, on their level.
As they play, the child may become less guarded and more apt to share their feelings. But they aren’t pressured. They’re allowed to do so in their own time and with their own method of communication.
Play therapy will differ depending on the therapist and the particular needs of the child. To begin, the therapist may want to observe the child at play. They may also want to conduct separate interviews with the child, parents, or teachers.
Sessions typically last 30 minutes to an hour and are held once a week or so. How many sessions are needed depends on the child and how well they respond to this type of therapy. Therapy can take place individually or in groups.
Play therapy can be directive or nondirective. In the directive approach, the therapist will take the lead by specifying the toys or games that’ll be used in the session. The therapist will guide the play with a specific goal in mind.
The nondirective approach is less structured. The child is able to choose toys and games as they see fit. They’re free to play in their own way with few instructions or interruptions. The therapist will observe closely and participate as appropriate.
Sessions must take place in an environment where the child feels safe and where there are few limitations. The therapist may use techniques that involve:
•creative visualization
•storytelling
Depending on the child and the situation, the therapist will either guide the child toward certain methods of play or let them choose for themselves. There are any number of ways the therapist can use play therapy to get to know the child and help them cope with their problems.
For example, the therapist might offer the child a dollhouse and some dolls, asking them to act out some problems they have at home. Or they might encourage the child to use hand puppets to recreate something they found stressful or frightening.
They might ask your child to tell a “once upon a time” story to see what the child might bring to light. Or they might read stories that solve a problem similar to your child’s. This is referred to as bibliotherapy.
It could be as simple as asking questions while your child is drawing or painting to try to gain insights into their thought process. Or play various games with the child to encourage problem-solving, cooperation, and social skills.
Play isn’t just for kids, and neither is play therapy. Teenagers and adults can also have a difficult time expressing their innermost feelings in words. Adults who may benefit from play therapy include those affected by:
•intellectual disabilities
•dementia
•chronic illness, palliative care, and hospice care
•substance use
•trauma and physical abuse
Play therapy is a method of therapy that uses play to uncover and deal with psychological issues. It can be used on its own, particularly with children, or along with other therapies and medications.
To get the most out of play therapy, look for a licensed mental health professional experienced in this type of therapy. Your pediatrician or primary care doctor can make a referral.
If you don’t already have a mental health professional, the Healthline FindCare tool can help you find one in your area.
You may also choose to search for a credentialed registered play therapist (RPT) or registered play therapist-supervisor (RPT-S) through the Association for Play Therapy.
- Ann Pietrangelo
Apr 5, 2022 · Summary. Play therapy is a form of psychological treatment that can involve playing with toys, role-playing, and games. Therapists observe someone during play to gain insights about their...
Nov 15, 2021 · Play therapy seeks to balance the symbolic play with the linguistic expression, in a way appropriate to the children age and beneficial for them . Play therapy is widely used to treat emotional problems and behavioral disorders of children because it fully meets their unique developmental needs.
Jun 13, 2022 · When working with children, play therapy can break down barriers and improve relationship building, creating a safe and motivating environment for a better treatment outcome. This article defines play therapy, introduces several theories, and explores how it benefits both young and older clients.
How It Works. What to Look for in a Play Therapist. When It's Used. Parents sometimes think that play therapy is “just play.” But play is important to children. Not only can play be a...
Mar 25, 2024 · Here are some of the benefits of play therapy: Play therapy gives children who are having a hard time communicating verbally to express themselves through play activities. For instance, a child who refuses to speak might instead draw or paint out their thoughts or needs.
