Play Therapy
“There are no rules of architecture for a castle in the clouds.” – G.K. Chesterton
Play therapy is a unique form of psychotherapy that uses a child's most natural form of communication—play—to help them express their thoughts and emotions. In the safety of the playroom, children use toys, games, art, and sandtray as tools to convey their inner worlds. Whether they are dealing with social, emotional, or behavioural concerns, play allows children to explore their feelings in a way that feels comfortable and familiar to them.
The Process of Play Therapy
Typically, children require around 20 sessions to complete their therapeutic journey, but each child's pace is unique (Carmichael, 2006; Landreth, 2002).
Let’s explore the different stages of play therapy to better understand how it unfolds:
1. Exploratory Stage
The first few sessions focus on building a trusting and safe environment. This is where your child becomes familiar with the playroom and the therapist. It’s a time of exploration—some children will dive right in, while others may take more time to adjust. During this phase, children begin to understand what to expect from their sessions and develop a bond with their therapist, learning that this is a safe space for them to express their feelings.
2. The Resistance Phase
As the bond strengthens, therapy begins to address the underlying issues that are affecting your child's well-being. This phase can sometimes be challenging for both the child and the family, as children may become more resistant or express their emotions more intensely. It’s important to remain patient during this time, as it’s a sign that real therapeutic work is beginning. This stage allows children to confront difficult feelings in a supportive environment and develop the tools to express them in healthy, constructive ways.
3. The Work Phase
This is where the child truly starts to engage with the therapeutic process. They begin to actively work through the emotions, challenges, and behaviours that brought them to therapy. Over time, you’ll see positive changes as they develop emotional intelligence, communication skills, and resilience. Children begin to solve problems, manage their emotions, and build self-regulation skills—all through play.
4. The Termination Phase
As therapy comes to a close, your child will have developed the skills they need to navigate life’s challenges with confidence. They’ll continue to demonstrate these skills in everyday life, and you may notice a reduction in behavioural and emotional concerns. This phase is a time of celebration, where both you and your child can reflect on their growth and accomplishments.
The Evidence-Based Efficacy of Play Therapy
Research consistently shows that child-centred play therapy is highly effective in supporting children through a range of difficulties and disorders. Studies demonstrate that play therapy is successful in helping children with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, behavioural challenges, and social difficulties. It is also beneficial for children dealing with developmental delays, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and those who have experienced abuse or family disruptions.
Play therapy provides a safe and developmentally appropriate space for children to process their emotions and experiences. Through this therapeutic method, children learn to express their feelings, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and improve their social and emotional skills. The non-intrusive and child-led nature of play therapy allows children to work through complex emotions and challenges without feeling overwhelmed.
Some of the key benefits of play therapy include:
- Enhanced emotional expression and self-regulation
- Improved communication and problem-solving skills
- Increased self-esteem and resilience
- A greater ability to cope with life stressors and change
These outcomes contribute to long-term emotional well-being and a more positive outlook on life for children.
How Does Therapeutic Play Differ from ‘Ordinary’ Play?
Therapeutic play may look like ordinary play on the surface, but it’s so much more. While it may seem that your child is just playing with toys or engaging in games, each activity is carefully selected to address psychological or emotional challenges. Through symbolic play, children address real-world issues, such as bullying or changes at home, in a way that feels safe and manageable.
- Play is a child’s most natural way of expressing themselves.
- Therapeutic play helps children process stress and psychological issues in a non-intrusive way.
- Through play therapy, children can heal and overcome social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties.
- The techniques used in play therapy evolve as children grow, incorporating arts, crafts, sand play, and even board games for older children and adolescents.
In our dedicated playroom, we provide a space where children aged two and up can explore and express themselves freely, guided by a trained therapist who is there to support them on their journey to healing.
Interested in booking a session with us?