What Is Play Therapy?

Play therapy was originally developed at the turn of the 20th century. This therapy builds on the natural way children learn about themselves and others around them. Play therapy helps children communicate with others, express their feelings, change their behavior, and learn a variety of ways to relate to others.  One of the key tenets of this therapy is that it provides a safe psychological distance from the problem that allows children to express their thoughts and feelings in developmentally appropriate ways.

Play therapy allows children to confront their concerns and develop lasting resolutions that can be discovered, rehearsed, mastered, and adapted to lifelong strategies. This therapy is especially appropriate for children ages 3 to 12 but in the past 20 years infants, toddlers, teenagers and adults have also benefited from play techniques and recreational processes.

Play therapy treatment plans have been used as the primary intervention or as an adjunctive therapy for mental health concerns: anger management, grief and loss, divorce and family dissolution, and crisis and trauma; and also behavioral problems: anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, academic and social development, and conduct disorders. This therapy has been shown to help children:

·         Become more responsible for behaviors and develop more successful strategies

·         Develop new and creative solutions to problems

·         Develop respect and acceptance of self and others

·         Learn to experience and express emotions

·         Cultivate empathy and respect for thoughts and feelings of others

·         Learn new social skills and relational skills with family

·         Develop a better assuredness about their abilities

Play therapy sessions vary in length but usually last about 30 to 50 minutes. Sessions are usually held once a week and the research shows that an average of 20 sessions are needed to resolve the problems of the typical child referred for treatment.

Families play an important part in the healing process. The interaction between the family and the child’s problems are always complex. Sometimes the entire family becomes distressed because the child’s problems are so disruptive.  Other times children develop problems as a response to something that is wrong within the family.  In all cases, children and families heal faster when all are involved.

One who is credentialed by the Association for Play Therapy (APT) is required to have earned a Master’s or Doctoral degree in a mental health field with considerable clinical experience and supervision in play therapy. They must have completed 150 hours of play therapy specific instruction.  The Association credentials Registered Play Therapists and Registered Play Therapist Supervisors.