Learn the benefits of play therapy

Have you been considering mental health counseling for your child? Child centered play therapy is a great option! Are you concerned that talk therapy may not be engaging enough? Is there something else that seems to be holding you back? Final question: What is play therapy?

If you are unsure how to answer any of the questions above, don’t worry. Harley, our child therapist in Indianapolis, is here to help you better understand play therapy! 

Play therapy is at the heart of child healing

Play therapy was at the heart of child healing. The use of play therapy was first used by the pioneers of Child Psychotherapy. Therapeutic play, (including play therapy), is a well established therapy practice among many researchers. Research for play therapy shows that it is highly effective in many cases fpr a verity of emotional disorders or behavioral issues. Recent research shows that play therapy shows positive changes for children 71% of children referred to this therapy. The first recorded use of therapeutic play goes back to 1919. It is informed by a number of psychological theories. There are two major approaches to play therapy which are Non-directive play therapy and Directive play therapy. A skilled therapist such as our child play therapists at The Brave Life Therapy will adopt a mix of both play therapy approaches depending on all child's individual needs.

Why Do Kids Need Play Therapy?

Play is an easy way for an children to communicate in less threatening ways. We see them all the time at school playgrounds. Nobody should be teaching children to be able to play. Play helps children express feelings and develop social skills. It helps them display their own experiences based on family dynamic and cultural values. During the sessions children are encouraged to play important events like the marriage of their parents and the arrival of their new sibling using dolls and houses, baby dolls and toys. Playing has been the ‘language’ of kids whose toys they use (Landrethe, 2012).

What is play therapy?

Play therapy was introduced to the therapeutic community during the 20th century. The Association for Play Therapy 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." In other words, play therapy also known as child centered play therapy is a type of counseling where your child can play in a therapeutic setting. Play therapy is built around the idea that children learn through play. This therapy meets your child where they are developmentally and emotionally. No external pressures are put on the child during this therapeutic process. Play therapy also helps your child work through their mental health needs. Child centered play therapists create a safe space for communication and play. 

What do you do in play therapy? 

Play therapy provides a space for children to engage in play however they want. Common activities include drawing, board games, dancing and so much more! These activities are designed to help children overcome their mental health issues. Children may gain many new skills as an added benefit. The play therapist may engage in play with your child or just observe. All play based decisions are up to your child, giving them a sense of autonomy. Everything your child learns will be practiced throughout treatment.

What does child centered play therapy look like in sessions?

As mentioned above, many activities are used during play therapy. Children can have individual sessions per their preference and the therapist's recommendation. Family play therapy can be recommended by the therapist as well. Sometimes, play therapy sessions get loud! Laughter, music, singing, and role-playing may occur. Sometimes sessions are quiet. Children experiencing grief or depression may not speak much. And sometimes, sessions are silent. Children with anxiety may not interact with the therapist at all.

Children don't have effective communication skills, so play therapy offers expressive communication opportunities. Play allows children to use activities to show their needs and to express themselves. Play therapists are trained to notice feelings/behaviors of children during sessions. Analyzing the play is a big part of the therapist's job. Through the therapist's engagement, children learn new ways to communicate and express themselves.

When should play therapy be used?

Play therapy is most useful for children between the ages of 3 and 12. This style of therapy is often used to help support children in many ways but in many situations to resolve psychosocial difficulties. Children older than 12 may gain skills in play therapy based on their mental health needs. Play therapy should be implemented when children have issues with no obvious solutions. These issues may occur at home or at school. Children with developmental or behavioral problems may be recommended for play therapy. Other issues may include trauma, family issues, neurodivergence, and more. Play therapy is also recommended for children who have communication issues or anxiety.

Don’t count out the teens though! As mentioned above, teens 13+ may also engage in play therapy. Teens who struggle with anxiety, depression, or trauma may gain skills in play therapy. Again - those with developmental or behavioral issues may also benefit. Play therapists will engage in age-appropriate play based on need. Games, workbooks, and art/crafts may be used.

What about using play therapy for adults?

Yes - adults can also learn things from engaging in play therapy techniques! If you feel skeptical, consider the things you do daily that are play-based. Game nights, singing, celebrating holidays. All these connect adults to their inner child. In play therapy, adult sessions look different than a child's session. Adults may be encouraged to read books, role-play, and play games. All adult play therapy sessions will include age-appropriate activities.

Why does play therapy work?

Play therapy works because it meets children where they are. Play therapy techniques helps children work through mental health issues with their own language. It also allows them to express themselves. Play therapy also puts another support in their corner - their therapist. As mentioned above, teens and adults are provided with age-appropriate and activities based on need. These populations are encouraged to use their own lingo while learning skills. Despite ages, new forms of self-expression may be uncovered. Play therapy works well for the simple fact that it is judgment free.

What is directive play therapy?

In directive play therapy, therapists will take a more guided approach. The therapist is an active participant in the sessions. The therapist will plan activities based on each child's goals. In session, the play therapist will be talkative and direct. Asking questions, offering feedback, and planning specific activities is their primary goal. Play therapists will provide recommendations for sessions moving forward. Recommendations might include family sessions or an evaluation. The main goal of directive play therapy is to provide education, learn new things, and play! Sometimes, the therapist may give homework. Homework is given to practice new skills in outside settings.

What is non-directive play therapy?

In non-directive play sessions, the therapist will take a less guided approach. The therapist will not set limits to play, except for safety. The play therapist will follow the lead of the child. This allows a space for children to process and express their issues independently. A non directive play therapist will not plan activities. Non directive play therapy is used to track progress towards goals by observing play. The therapist won't engage unless requested by your child. Verbal and nonverbal requests for interactions are always accepted by the play therapist.

What are the benefits of play therapy?

It is common to observe positive changes in your child's life. Social, emotional, and behavioral concerns may begin to lessen. Symptoms of mental illness will begin to decrease. Emotion regulation skills will improve. Some special issues, like divorce or trauma, may become small problems. Your child may learn new coping skills. Family play therapy will strengthen attachments between members. Children will gain confidence and boost their self-esteem. Verbal and nonverbal communication may also improve. As the therapy continues, your child may begin to open up in creative ways. Play therapy will also improve your child’s motor skills and their sensory systems!

Play therapy can also help facilitate coping with trauma

Play therapy removes adult guarding by offering a relaxed setting. It helps adults explore their feelings in the most secure way possible. The article describes a way in which survivors of domestic slurred relationships expressed their feelings about their alleged relationship to the public.

Learn coping mechanisms

Play therapy allows children to be taught to cope with challenging thoughts and emotions. They acquire coping skills through play therapy that could benefit themselves as a teenager & adult. Play therapy can help develop good behaviors and relationships between parents and others. Besides working with licensed professionals, they can also learn about their emotions. Play therapy can help kids cope with family issues, medical issues, and other difficult life situations safely.

Gain real-world problem-solving skills

As you play, children will develop their problem-solving ability independently. The child can create a story through the use of toys and games, or may try solving a small or significant problem through roleplaying. Therapists can also present a problem through play therapy where they must figure out a solution independently. Therapy may ask the children how they react when they eat a certain toy and then tell them if they can. During the role-playing process children's responses reveal patterns in their behaviour.

Learn to process emotions

Children play to process feelings. It helps them understand themselves and the world around them more than talking does. Sometimes children aren’t able to use words to explain how they feel so play helps. When the child is using the emotion wheel it will show how the facial expression looks on their faces. The provider can use toys to induce emotional behavior and ask children to repeat these behaviors if there has been a specific reaction in the car.

In conclusion, play therapy offers a unique and effective approach for supporting children and to help resolve psychosocial difficulties. Play therapy is used by therapist who provide a safe and engaging environment, play therapy helps children (and adults!) express themselves, build essential skills, and promote their overall emotional well-being.

Whether utilizing directive or non-directive techniques, play therapy can be a valuable tool in enhancing the lives of children with conditions such as autism, ADHD, depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder and so much more!

Want to learn more about our child therapy in Indianapolis? Check out our play therapy team here!