Play Therapy
Play Therapy
Play therapy is a type of mental health, educational, or developmental intervention that is designed to help children grow up as happy and well-adjusted as possible. It involves the use of play to communicate with children and to help children learn to solve problems and change their negative behaviors. 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.” Play is the primary way that children do the following: learn about the world; understand how different things work; express their thoughts and feelings; develop their physical skills; develop their mental skills; and develop effective social skills and bonds. As children grow, their use of language becomes more sophisticated, but throughout childhood, they usually express much more of themselves in their play. By watching children play we often learn more about their thoughts, feelings, motivations, and struggles than by talking with them.
Child Centered Play Therapy can be a positive and effective way to help children and works for children as counseling or psychotherapy does for adults. Child Centered Play Therapy helps children work through emotional, psychosocial and behavioral difficulties and helps address family problems. In Child Centered Play Therapy, a relationship develops between the child and the therapist. The therapist enters the child’s world, following the child’s lead, developing a safe place and a relationship of trust. Play Therapy sessions are usually held in a playroom that has a range of carefully selected toys and materials. In special circumstances, play therapy sessions can also be offered in other settings such as home and in hospitals. In the playroom, the child can express
Play therapy is a type of mental health, educational, or developmental intervention that is designed to help children grow up as happy and well-adjusted as possible. It involves the use of play to communicate with children and to help children learn to solve problems and change their negative behaviors. 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.” Play is the primary way that children do the following: learn about the world; understand how different things work; express their thoughts and feelings; develop their physical skills; develop their mental skills; and develop effective social skills and bonds. As children grow, their use of language becomes more sophisticated, but throughout childhood, they usually express much more of themselves in their play. By watching children play we often learn more about their thoughts, feelings, motivations, and struggles than by talking with them.
Child Centered Play Therapy can be a positive and effective way to help children and works for children as counseling or psychotherapy does for adults. Child Centered Play Therapy helps children work through emotional, psychosocial and behavioral difficulties and helps address family problems. In Child Centered Play Therapy, a relationship develops between the child and the therapist. The therapist enters the child’s world, following the child’s lead, developing a safe place and a relationship of trust. Play Therapy sessions are usually held in a playroom that has a range of carefully selected toys and materials. In special circumstances, play therapy sessions can also be offered in other settings such as home and in hospitals. In the playroom, the child can express
References: Arkansas association for play therapy. (2007-2008). Retrieved September 8, 2008, from http://www.arplaytherapy.org/ Association for play therapy. (2008). Retrieved September 8, 2008, from http://www.a4pt.org/ Kottman, T. (2001). Play therapy basics and beyond. Alexandria, VA: ACA. Landreth, G. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship. New York, NY: Brunner-Routledge. Play Therapy. Retrieved September 8, 2008 from http://www.behavioradvisor.com/PlayTherapy.html Play Therapy-Wikipedia. Retrieved September 8, 2008 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play_therapy Rye, N. (2005-2008). Filial therapy. Retrieved September 8, 2008, from http://www.filialtherapy.co.uk/ [pic][pic][pic]