How can play therapy help a child
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This information addresses the most frequently asked questions about play therapy, a mental health modality practiced by thousands of licensed mental health professionals within and outside of the United States. Much of the information provided is descriptive and foundational to play therapy. Glossary of Play Therapy Terms initiates the development of a play therapy specific glossary of terms (Schaefer & Peabody).
Why Play?In recent years a growing number of noted mental health professionals have observed that play is as important to human happiness and well-being as love and work (Schaefer, 1993). Some of the greatest thinkers of all time, including Aristotle and Plato, have reflected on why play is so fundamental in our lives. The following are some of the many benefits of play that have been described by play theorists. Play is the child's language and . Play is a fun, enjoyable activity that elevates our spirits and brightens our outlook on life. It expands self-expression, self-knowledge, self-actualization and self-efficacy. Play relieves feelings of stress and boredom, connects us to people in a positive way, stimulates creative thinking and exploration, regulates our emotions, and boosts our ego (Landreth, 2002). In addition, play allows us to practice skills and roles needed for survival. Learning and development are best fostered through play (Russ, 2004).
Why Play in Therapy?Play therapy is a structured, theoretically based approach to therapy that builds on the normal communicative and learning processes of children (Carmichael, 2006; Landreth, 2002; O'Connor & Schaefer, 1983). The curative powers inherent in play are used in many ways. Therapists strategically utilize play therapy to help children express what is troubling them when they do not have the verbal language to express their thoughts and feelings (Gil, 1991). What is Play Therapy?... toys are the child's words! Initially developed in the turn of the 20th century, today play therapy refers to a large number of treatment methods, all applying the therapeutic benefits of play. Play therapy differs from regular play in that the therapist helps children to address and resolve their own problems. APT 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." How Does Play Therapy Work?Children are referred for play therapy to resolve their problems (Carmichael; 2006; Schaefer, 1993). Often, children have used up their own problem solving tools, and they misbehave, may act out at home, with friends, and at school (Landreth, 2002). Who Benefits from Play Therapy?Although everyone benefits, play therapy is especially appropriate for children ages 3 through 12 years old (Carmichael, 2006; Gil, 1991; Landreth, 2002; Schaefer, 1993). Teenagers and adults have also benefited from play techniques and recreational processes. How Will Play Therapy Benefit a Child?Play therapy is implemented as a treatment of choice in mental health, school, agency, developmental, hospital, residential, and recreational settings, with clients of all ages (Carmichael, 2006; Reddy, Files-Hall, & Schaefer, 2005). Play therapy treatment plans have been utilized as the primary intervention or as an adjunctive therapy for multiple Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Disorders (Bratton, Ray, Rhine, & Jones, 2005; LeBlanc & Ritchie, 2001; Lin & Bratton, 2015; Ray, Armstrong, Balkin, & Jayne, 2015; Reddy, Files-Hall, & Schaefer, 2005), e.g. anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity, autism spectrum, oppositional defiant and conduct disorders, anger management, crisis and trauma, grief and loss, divorce and family dissolution, academic and social developmental, and physical and learning disabilities. Research supports the effectiveness of play therapy with children experiencing a wide variety of social, emotional, behavioral, and learning problems, including: children whose problems are related to life stressors, such as divorce, death, relocation, hospitalization, chronic illness, assimilate stressful experiences, physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, and natural disasters (Bratton, Ray, Rhine, & Jones, 2005; LeBlanc & Ritchie, 2001; Lin & Bratton, 2015; Ray, Armstrong, Balkin, & Jayne, 2015; Reddy, Files-Hall, & Schaefer, 2005). Play therapy helps children:
Meta-analytic reviews of over 100 play therapy outcome studies (Bratton, Ray, Rhine, & Jones, 2005; LeBlanc & Ritchie, 2001; Lin & Bratton, 2015; Ray, Armstrong, Balkin, & Jayne, 2015). have found that the over-all treatment effect of play therapy ranges from moderate to high positive effects. Play therapy has proven equally effective across age, gender, and presenting problem. Additionally, positive treatment effects were found to be greatest when there was a parent actively involved in the child's treatment. How Long Does Play Therapy Take?Each play therapy session varies in length but usually last about 30 to 50 minutes. Sessions are usually held weekly. Research suggests that it takes an average of 20 play therapy sessions to resolve the problems of the typical child referred for treatment. Of course, some children may improve much faster while more serious or ongoing problems may take longer to resolve (Carmichael, 2006; Landreth, 2002). How May My Family Be Involved in Play Therapy?Families play an important role in children's healing processes. The interaction between children's problems and their families is always complex. Sometimes children develop problems as a way of signaling that there is something wrong in the family. Other times the entire family becomes distressed because the child's problems are so disruptive. In all cases, children and families heal faster when they work together. The play therapist will make some decisions about how and when to involve some or all members of the family in the play therapy. At a minimum, the therapist will want to communicate regularly with the child's caretakers to develop a plan for resolving problems as they are identified and to monitor the progress of the treatment. Other options might include involving a) the parents or caretakers directly in the treatment by modifying how they interact with the child at home and b) the whole family in family play therapy (Guerney, 2000). Who Practices Play Therapy?The practice of play therapy requires extensive specialized education, training, and experience. A play therapist is a licensed mental health professional who has earned a Master's or Doctorate degree in a mental health field with considerable general clinical experience and supervision. With advanced, specialized training, experience, and supervision, mental health professionals may also earn the Registered Play Therapist (RPT), Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S) or School Based-Registered Play Therapist (SB-RPT) credentials¹ conferred by the Association for Play Therapy (APT).
AuthorsThe information displayed for the general public and mental health professionals in this section was initially crafted by JP Lilly, LCSW, RPT-S, Kevin O'Connor, PhD, RPT-S, and Teri Krull, LCSW, RPT-S and later revised in part by Charles Schaefer, PhD, RPT-S, Garry Landreth, EdD, LPC, RPT-S, and Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson, EdD, LPC, RPT-S. |
In play therapy, toys are like the child's words and play is the child's language (Landreth, 2002). Through play, therapists may help children learn more adaptive behaviors when there are emotional or social skills deficits (Pedro-Carroll & Reddy, 2005). The positive relationship that develops between therapist and child during play therapy sessions can provide a corrective emotional experience necessary for healing (Moustakas, 1997). Play therapy may also be used to promote cognitive development and provide insight about and resolution of inner conflicts or dysfunctional thinking in the child (O'Connor & Schaefer, 1983; Reddy, Files-Hall, & Schaefer, 2005).
Play therapy builds on the natural way that children learn about themselves and their relationships in the world around them (Axline, 1947; Carmichael, 2006; Landreth, 2002). Through play therapy, children learn to communicate with others, express feelings, modify behavior, develop problem-solving skills, and learn a variety of ways of relating to others. Play provides a safe psychological distance from their problems and allows expression of thoughts and feelings appropriate to their development..
Play therapy allows trained mental health practitioners who specialize in play therapy, to assess and understand children's play. Further, play therapy is utilized to help children cope with difficult emotions and find solutions to problems (Moustakas, 1997; Reddy, Files-Hall, & Schaefer, 2005). By confronting problems in the clinical Play Therapy setting, children find healthier solutions. Play therapy allows children to change the way they think about, feel toward, and resolve their concerns (Kaugars & Russ, 2001). Even the most troubling problems can be confronted in play therapy and lasting resolutions can be discovered, rehearsed, mastered and adapted into lifelong strategies (Russ, 2004).
To that end, use of play therapy with adults within mental health, agency, and other healthcare contexts is increasing (Pedro-Carroll & Reddy, 2005; Schaefer, 2003). In recent years, play therapy interventions have also been applied to infants and toddlers (Schaefer et. al., 2008).
Whatever the level of involvement of the family members, they typically play an important role in the child's healing (Carey & Schaefer, 1994; Gil & Drewes, 2004).
Linked mental health conditions and concerns and behavioral disorders were drafted by Pehrsson and Karla Carmichael, PhD, LPC, RPT-S respectively. Research citations were compiled by Pehrsson and Oregon State University graduate assistant Mary Aguilera. Updated mental health classifications and reorganization were provided by Edward Franc Hudspeth, PhD, NCC, LPC-S, ACS, RPh, RPT-S. APT sincerely thanks these individuals for their contributions!What Is It, How It Works, and Techniques
Play therapy is a form of therapy used primarily for children. That’s because children may not be able to process their own emotions or articulate problems to parents or other adults.
While it may look like an ordinary playtime, play therapy can be much more than that.
A trained therapist can use playtime to observe and gain insights into a child’s problems. The therapist can then help the child explore emotions and deal with unresolved trauma.
Through play, children can learn new coping mechanisms and how to redirect inappropriate behaviors.
Play therapy is practiced by a variety of licensed mental health professionals, like psychologists and psychiatrists. It’s also practiced by behavioral and occupational therapists, physical therapists, and social workers.
In addition, the Association for Play Therapy offers specialized training programs and advanced credentials for licensed mental health professionals, school counselors, and school psychologists.
According to the professional organization Play Therapy International, up to 71 percent of children referred to play therapy may experience positive change.
While some children might start off with some hesitation, trust in the therapist tends to grow. As they become more comfortable and their bond strengthens, the child may become more creative or more verbal in their play.
Some of the potential benefits of play therapy are:
- taking more responsibility for certain behaviors
- developing coping strategies and creative problem-solving skills
- self-respect
- empathy and respect for others
- alleviation of anxiety
- learning to fully experience and express feelings
- stronger social skills
- stronger family relationships
Play therapy can also encourage use of language or improve fine and gross motor skills.
If your child has a diagnosed mental or physical illness, play therapy doesn’t replace medications or any other necessary treatments. Play therapy can be used alone or alongside other therapies.
Although people of all ages can benefit from play therapy, it’s typically used with children between the ages of 3 and 12. Play therapy may be helpful in a variety of circumstances, such as:
- facing medical procedures, chronic illness, or palliative care
- developmental delay or learning disabilities
- problem behaviors in school
- aggressive or angry behavior
- family issues, like divorce, separation, or death of a close family member
- natural disasters or traumatic events
- domestic violence, abuse, or neglect
- anxiety, depression, grief
- eating and toileting disorders
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
There’s a bit of a communication gap between children and adults.
Depending on age and stage of development, children simply don’t have the language skills of adults. They may feel something, but in many cases, they either can’t express it to an adult or don’t have a trusted adult to express it to.
On the other end, adults can misinterpret or completely miss the child’s verbal and nonverbal cues.
Children learn to understand the world and their place in it through play. It’s where they’re free to act out their inner feelings and deepest emotions. Toys can act as symbols and take on greater meaning — if you know what to look for.
Since the child can’t adequately express themselves in the adult world, the therapist joins the child in their world, on their level.
As they play, the child may become less guarded and more apt to share their feelings. But they aren’t pressured. They’re allowed to do so in their own time and with their own method of communication.
Play therapy will differ depending on the therapist and the particular needs of the child.
To begin, the therapist may want to observe the child at play. They may also want to conduct separate interviews with the child, parents, or teachers.
After a thorough assessment, the therapist will set some therapeutic goals, decide on what limits may be necessary, and formulate a plan for how to proceed.
Play therapists pay close attention to how a child handles being separated from the parent, how they play alone, and how they react when the parent returns.
Much can be revealed in how a child interacts with different types of toys and how their behavior changes from session to session. They may use play to act out fears and anxieties, as a soothing mechanism, or to heal and problem-solve.
Play therapists use these observations as a guide to the next steps. Each child is different, so therapy will be tailored to their individual needs. As therapy progresses, behaviors and goals can be reassessed.
At some point, the therapist may bring parents, siblings, or other family members into play therapy.
This is known as filial therapy. It can help teach conflict resolution, promote healing, and improve family dynamics.
Sessions typically last 30 minutes to an hour and are held once a week or so. How many sessions are needed depends on the child and how well they respond to this type of therapy. Therapy can take place individually or in groups.
Play therapy can be directive or nondirective. In the directive approach, the therapist will take the lead by specifying the toys or games that’ll be used in the session. The therapist will guide the play with a specific goal in mind.
The nondirective approach is less structured. The child is able to choose toys and games as they see fit. They’re free to play in their own way with few instructions or interruptions. The therapist will observe closely and participate as appropriate.
Sessions must take place in an environment where the child feels safe and where there are few limitations. The therapist may use techniques that involve:
- creative visualization
- storytelling
- role-playing
- toy phones
- puppets, stuffed animals, and masks
- dolls, action figures
- arts and crafts
- water and sand play
- blocks and construction toys
- dance and creative movement
- musical play
Depending on the child and the situation, the therapist will either guide the child toward certain methods of play or let them choose for themselves.
There are any number of ways the therapist can use play therapy to get to know the child and help them cope with their problems.
For example, the therapist might offer the child a dollhouse and some dolls, asking them to act out some problems they have at home. Or they might encourage the child to use hand puppets to recreate something they found stressful or frightening.
They might ask your child to tell a “once upon a time” story to see what the child might bring to light. Or they might read stories that solve a problem similar to your child’s. This is referred to as bibliotherapy.
It could be as simple as asking questions while your child is drawing or painting to try to gain insights into their thought process. Or play various games with the child to encourage problem-solving, cooperation, and social skills.
Play isn’t just for kids, and neither is play therapy. Teenagers and adults can also have a difficult time expressing their innermost feelings in words.
Adults who may benefit from play therapy include those affected by:
- intellectual disabilities
- dementia
- chronic illness, palliative care, and hospice care
- substance use
- trauma and physical abuse
- anger management issues
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- unresolved childhood issues
When working with adults, a therapist may use dramatic role-playing or sand-tray therapy to help you get in touch with feelings that are hard to talk about. These therapies can help you work on strategies for dealing with particular scenarios.
The very act of playing, whether it’s games, arts and crafts, or music and dance, can help you relax and unwind from the stresses of everyday life.
Art therapy, music therapy, and movement can help reveal hidden traumas and promote healing. Under the guidance of an experienced therapist, play can be a valuable tool in getting you where you want to be.
Play therapy for adults may be used as a complement to other types of therapy and medications.
As with children, the therapist will tailor play therapy to your specific needs.
Play therapy is a method of therapy that uses play to uncover and deal with psychological issues. It can be used on its own, particularly with children, or along with other therapies and medications.
To get the most out of play therapy, look for a licensed mental health professional experienced in this type of therapy. Your pediatrician or primary care doctor can make a referral.
If you don’t already have a mental health professional, the Healthline FindCare tool can help you find one in your area.
You may also choose to search for a credentialed registered play therapist (RPT) or registered play therapist-supervisor (RPT-S) through the Association for Play Therapy.
What Parents Can Expect from Child-Centered Play Therapy
The Kind and Attentive Presence of an Adult Helps the Child Express Difficult Feelings
When it comes to playing games with the child, many parents prefer educational or educational games .
“Games must be correct and be sure to teach something!” Proponents of Child-Centered Play Therapy (ITCR) believe that sometimes it is good for children to play the way they want to, and not the way adults should. nine0006
Today, play therapy is used to refer to many different psychotherapeutic methods of helping children. The game unites them, and the goals may be different: for some, development is more important, for others, training, and others provide psychological assistance.
“Child-centered play therapy belongs to the third group,” says child psychologist and play therapist Alexander Pokryshkin. ITCR, according to its adherents, differs from the rest in that it is a fundamentally non-directive technique. Its main principle is to follow the child and create conditions in which the child will reveal himself, without intervention and instructions from the adult. nine0003
What does "child-centered" mean?
This type of play therapy is based on the inner experiences of the child.
A play therapy session is an opportunity to “peep” at his inner world, which deserves respect.
If an adult shows respect and care for the child's inner world, then the child will be able to cope with his experiences on his own.
“The method of child-centered play therapy helps us, adults, not by offering the child some special game, but simply by following him in a certain way, staying close to him, showing our benevolence, respect and care. The main idea of the ITCR is to support the child and help him overcome the difficulties that have arisen in his life, ”explains the specialist. nine0003
How the session works
Toys
During a play therapy session, a child (2 to 12 years old) is in a room full of toys. The toys are sorted into the following categories.
- People: families, representatives of different professions.
- Fantastic creatures, conventionally good and evil.
- Animals: wild, domestic, families of animals.
- House and everything connected with it.
- Transport.
- Weapons, soldiers. nine0028
The playroom can include a sandbox, art supplies, finger games, and more. It is possible to use a constructor, but only without an instruction. This will allow not to impose a certain game scenario on the child.
Tasks
- The main task of an adult in a session is to gently transfer responsibility for the game to the child. An adult can take part in the game, but the main thing in the process is the child.
- The second task is to maintain a friendly, warm atmosphere. The child must understand that the adult next to him is not just sitting and watching that he is friendly and attentive. nine0028
- The third task is to react and "reflect" what is happening. An adult names the actions of the child, retells the meaning of what he sees, but does it very carefully, without introducing anything of himself. It reflects the actions of the child and the feelings of the child and the heroes: “It seems that you were upset that it didn’t work out”, “It seems that you are happy with what you built.
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And finally, the fourth, very important aspect.
The adult supports the child all the time and draws his attention to what he has achieved. Not in general, in a broad sense, but on a specific example: "You wanted to build a tower, you succeeded." nine0003
It is desirable that there be as many such situations as possible during the game. It is necessary to help the child see the situation of success. It is very important to keep a neutral tone at the same time: avoid value judgments (well done! smart girl!), do not express your opinion (nice, good, great), but talk about the fact that the child has achieved what he wanted.
Restrictions
Many parents think that if you always agree with your child, then this is like a situation of permissiveness. Of course, this is not so, because the limitations still exist. First of all, in terms of time. Depending on age, a game session can last from 40 to 60 minutes. The child is always warned in advance that when time runs out, the game will end.
Of course, there are still obvious limitations in that you cannot break toys and hurt an adult. nine0003
In what situations is play therapy indicated?
Play therapy provides the child with the opportunity to act out and explore their feelings and problems (tension, insecurity, aggressiveness, fear).
In play, the child expresses himself most sincerely and naturally; in the presence of an adult, he learns to understand himself and others and can give vent to his feelings and distance himself from them. nine0003
https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bqz0a0aTKnM
“It should be remembered that play therapy can be done with any child, even if he does not have any difficulties. Game activities help children become more flexible, because in this way they learn to look for different options for acting out situations, explains Alexander Pokryshkin. “As a result, the child feels more self-confident. His idea of himself and those around him changes, it becomes more positive.
The most important thing in such a game is a concentrated experience of active attention to oneself, which children often lack.” nine0003
Play is a child's form of thinking in which he learns his own experience. And watching this game, helping him, creating conditions in which he will open up faster, giving him strength with a benevolent atmosphere, we help the child to live out his feelings.
Parents can work with their child on their own
“Today, play therapy is organized in such a way as to involve parents as actively as possible in this process, teach them, help them learn ITCR skills and apply them at home,” Alexander Pokryshkin explains. - Such a joint pastime is the most natural way to communicate with a child. To do this, parents just need to get a set of toys (by category) and inform the child that he will now have a special time to play. nine0003
Parents can learn the principles of ITCR on a special course, and for this you do not need to have a psychological education.
Play therapy provides parents with additional ways to mentally help the child, allows them to better understand him, to be together more often, maintains and strengthens the feeling of attachment, developing and strengthening the emotional contact with the child necessary for his development.
Related books:
G.L. Landreth, Play Therapy: The Art of Relationships: Per. from English, foreword AND I. Varga (International Pedagogical Academy, 1994)
A. Kraft, G.L. Landreth Parents as Psychotherapists (MPSI, 2000)
New Directions in Play Therapy. Problems, process and special populations”: ed. G.L. Landreta (Cogito Center, 2007)
Photo: Collection/iStock
4 therapeutic games that will help the child cope with stress
The game not only develops, educates and entertains, but also helps to cope with feelings and worries. Child psychologist and game therapist and expert of the Oh! Children” Alexander Pokryshkin told “Oh!” how play therapy helps relieve stress in a child.
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Alexander Pokryshkin, child psychologist and game therapist
Play therapy today is a tree of different methods that includes both developmental and psychotherapeutic techniques. The term "play therapy" originally originated in the school of the psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. Conventionally, the types of play therapy can be divided into more directive and less directive. Directiveness depends on the degree of involvement of an adult: it manifests itself when a game therapist asks a child to perform some exercise, task, or play a special game. And in the non-directive method, the child himself decides what he will do. He plays freely, and an adult only helps him understand his own actions and feelings. In any approach, it is important to create a trusting relationship with the child. If this is done, most likely, the child, with the support of a play therapist, will be able to cope with stress. nine0003
Play is the language of childhood
Nature is arranged in such a way that children most often reproduce their own experience in play, so situations that bother them are often reflected in it.
An adult, experiencing stress, will not sleep at night, and a child will simply start playing the same story over and over again. It is not always easy to see experiences literally, but by the nature of the game, you can understand what needs a child has: for recognition, approval, or overcoming stress.
Play therapy can be carried out not only by psychologists, but also by parents themselves, however, this must be learned. For such activities, even special sets of toys were made - these are people, animals, magical creatures, houses, furniture. In play therapy, two rules must be followed: the game is played only at a certain time, children cannot take toys with them. The psychologist must make sure that communication and the time spent benefit the baby. In the non-directive method, an adult cannot set the course of the game, offer some options, praise, teach, but he maintains a warm atmosphere, is attentive to what the child is doing, and talks about his feelings. nine0003
In itself, free play relaxes the child: he calms down when he realizes that there is a sensitive person nearby who speaks respectfully about his experiences.
The psychologist helps to understand any child's game and translates the child's actions into words. Thanks to this, the child has the opportunity to look at himself from the outside and begin to treat himself differently.
Unfortunately, there is no perfect game that will help relieve stress in any child. The exercises will differ according to the temperament of the children. It is necessary to build on the personality of the child: for one it is important to calm down, and for the other - to throw out their emotions outward. nine0003
Games that help fight stress
Evening at the Zoo
If you just want your child to calm down, use the simplest relaxation exercise. Ask your child to imagine himself as one of the sleepy animals in the evening zoo. Let him toss and turn like a bear, curl up like a little fox. Such a game will help him feel peace and reduce the level of anxiety and irritability.
Paper Snowballs
To relieve stress, make paper snowballs with him and throw them at each other or at an imaginary enemy.
As a result, the child will receive a good emotional discharge. Outdoor games are also useful in that they help the baby to show courage and feel self-confidence. nine0003
Balloon
In this game, the child pretends to inflate like a balloon. He can also imagine himself as a life-size puppet, which rises slowly and then gradually deflates. This exercise helps to feel the body and relieve nervous tension. You can do it with your baby.
"Naughty in a restaurant"
Offer to pretend to order and eat dishes in an imaginary restaurant, and then be a little capricious. In other words, create an atmosphere in which the child can express his irritation. Unleash your emotions! Allow him to make faces and make a few negative remarks: “This is very salty!”, “Ugh, there is dill here.” This game will free the child from accumulated negative emotions. nine0003
Sometimes parents suggest play in such a tone as if it were the child's responsibility, and then there will be no benefit from the activity.
