Child Play Therapy
In child play therapy, the creation of a therapeutic relationship between therapist and child is key. Once the relationship is strong, the focus shifts to promoting the social and emotional well-being of the child. Our therapists do this by creating a positive, encouraging environment for the child to express his or her feelings.
Children often have a difficult time expressing their feelings through words, so we use activities, unstructured play and games to communicate with them, and to help them with introspection.
Play therapy is not the same as playing. Play therapy makes use of what children like to do most, which is play. It allows and uses the child’s natural tendency to “play out” their reactions to life’s situations. This is a child’s natural medium of expression, a way of communicating on their level. Play therapy helps them express their feelings more easily through toys instead of words.
When working with children, we always involve their caregivers. At times, we may ask them to join in on the sessions and play, so that we may provide them with a fresh perspective on interacting with their child. New techniques and strategies are given to parents to try at home with their child.
Some of the goals we address with children and their families are:
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Build self esteem
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Improve communication
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Develop appropriate coping skills
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Stimulate development
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Improve emotional regulation
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Develop emotional vocabulary
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Diminish fear, worry and anxiety
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Decrease defiance and "acting out"
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Adjustment to foster/adoptive family
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Living productively with Autism and other developmental disorders
