What is Play Therapy?
What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy refers to a large number of treatment methods, all applying the therapeutic benefits of play. Play therapy helps children to address and resolve their own problems and builds on the natural way that children learn about themselves and their relationships in the world around them.
Play is an enjoyable, fun activity that elevates our spirits and brightens our outlook on life. Play relieves feelings of stress and boredom and, most importantly, helps us express ourselves. When paired with other therapeutic techniques, play allows us to help children work through problems in a way that truly speaks to them.
Can Play Therapy Help my Child?
Play therapy helps children:
- Become more responsible for their 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 emotion
- Cultivate empathy and respect for thoughts and feelings of others
- Learn new social skills and relational skills with family
- Develop self-efficacy and a better assuredness about their abilities
- Increase social awareness as well as self awareness
- Allow therapist to develop a better understanding of the underlying emotional themes the child is struggling with
Do you Specialize in Play Therapy?
Play therapy aims to help a child’s growth and development. The practice of play therapy requires extensive, specialized education, training and experience. At SageMind Psychology we offer play therapy both virtually and in person. We specialize in using the following techniques: child centered play therapy, trauma processing play therapy, DBT informed play therapy, and CBT informed play therapy. If you would like to learn more about these approaches and how they can help your child, we would be happy to discuss this with you.
If you’re interested in learning more about play therapy and how it can help your child grow, contact Dr. Kason today for a free consultation.