By Elizabeth Ernest, S-MFT, LMSW
February 6-12 is National Play Therapy Week! The Center for Mindfulness & CBT has a few therapists who utilize play therapy techniques, including APT certified play therapist, Taylor Medernach and S-MFT, LMSW, Elizabeth Ernest.
The Association of Play Therapy (APT) defines play therapy as “the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development.”
Play therapy is different from talk therapy in that the client and therapist work hands on together throughout the sessions. Therapists who utilize play therapy have multiple types of toys available for their clients to choose from. They also often play games, read books, and do craft projects with the children as well.
Play therapy can be used to treat most mental health concerns that appear in childhood. Some of the most common things that play therapists treat are:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Anxiety disorders
- Behavioral concerns at home and/or school
- Depression
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Grief
Play therapy emphasizes the idea that children experience the world in different ways than adults. Since they often cannot use language to describe their thoughts or feelings in the way that adults can, they use play to express themselves. Often caregivers or family members are involved in play therapy to aid in discussing progress, learn techniques that can be used at home, and sometimes to participate in the play.
Play therapy yields a number of benefits for children including:
- Higher self esteem and self efficacy
- More advanced problem-solving skills
- Healthy expression of emotions
- Improved social skills
- Development of respect for others and themselves
Play therapy techniques are often quite simple; however, you may be surprised about how much you can learn about your child through play. One play therapy technique that you can use at home is reading books and discussing the book’s message with your child. The following books are great examples:
- Little Worm: A Story About Worry – Laura Elpers Pierce
- The Way I Feel – Janan Cain
- In My Heart – Jo Witek
- Grumpy Monkey – Suzanne Lang
For more information about play therapy check out the APT website, ask your child’s current therapist for more details, or call the center! Play Therapy Makes a Difference – Association for Play Therapy (a4pt.org)
Call or email us today to see if your child would benefit from play therapy!
