On this page,
- What is Play Therapy?
- How Does Play Therapy Work?
- Who Does Play Therapy Help?
- Benefits of Play Therapy
What is Play Therapy?
Adults and children communicate in different ways. Adults communicate their feelings verbally, whereas children communicate through their actions – think of a two-year-old’s temper tantrum. Young children do not have the vocabulary to express their feelings or emotions clearly, instead, they express them best through play.
Play therapy is a type of therapy primarily used on children under the age of 12. A trained play therapist can use play to observe and gain insights into a child’s problems, emotions, or unresolved trauma. Using play therapy has been proven to help children develop coping skills and learn how to redirect inappropriate behaviour.
How does Play Therapy Work?
Play allows children the freedom to act out their feelings and emotions safely. They may use toys as symbols of emotion or as people they know. It is where they begin to learn and understand the world around them and their place inside it.
In play therapy the therapist will facilitate the child in their play, bringing themselves to the child’s level and building trust between them. The therapist will observe the child’s behaviour and how they interact with the toys. As trust develops children become more willing to share their thoughts and feelings with the therapist.
The children decide on the pace of the therapy and by what means they prefer to communicate. There is never any pressure placed on the child.
At Laois Play Therapy, we help children express their emotions by heightening the senses with sand, water, music, and movement. We use role-playing and symbolism to allow children to recreate their stories and past experiences. These techniques enable children to revisit their past, but not relive it, through the safety of play.
We guide children and their families through these emotions and work on any developmental issues children may have. Our compassionate and mindful approach creates an open and trusting environment which allows us to engage fully with children.
Who Does Play Therapy Help?
Play therapy helps children who have experienced any of the following to communicate any thoughts, feelings, or emotions they are struggling with:
- Medical procedures or illness
- Developmental delays
- Learning disabilities
- Nightmares or night terrors
- Behavioural problems
- Aggressive or angry behaviour
- Family issues: divorce, separation, death
- Traumatic events
- Domestic violence, abuse or neglect
- Anxiety or depression
- Eating disorders
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
What are the Benefits of Play Therapy
As children become more comfortable with their therapist, they become more verbal and creative in their play; this starts the healing process. Play therapy can give children strategies to cope with their difficulties in life, of which they have no control over. These strategies provide children with a positive outlook for their future.
The benefits of Play Therapy include,
- Coping strategies
- Problem-solving skills
- Self-respect
- Empathy for others
- Respect for others
- Conflict management
- Self- confidence
- Self-Esteem
- Better relationships
- Stronger social skills
- Build resilience
- Learning to express their feelings
- Reduced anxiety
- Reduction of challenging behaviour
If you feel that your child could benefit from Play Therapy, book a consultation with us today.
If you would like to find out more about children’s development, visit our milestone checklists page below.