Play Therapy

Play is a natural and spontaneous part of children's lives. During play, children learn about their physical surroundings, their capabilities and limitations, social rules, and the difference between fantasy and reality. In play, children interact with toys and other people as they enter new experiences and rehearse new skills. In addition, play is one of the ways in which children learn to communicate and can show others things that are too complicated to say.

Play Therapy refers to a large number of treatment methods, all of which make use of one or more of the natural benefits of play. All Play Therapy differs from regular play in that the therapist helps children systematically address and resolve the difficulties they may be facing. Since play is fun, it makes it easier for children to confront what is bothering them. Play allows them a safe psychological distance from their problems and allows them to express their true thoughts and feelings in ways best suited to their developmental level. Once children have expressed and addressed their problems through play, the therapist will be better able to help them find solutions to their problems in life.

Children can express their thoughts and feelings, their likes and dislikes, and their hopes and fears during play therapy. Positive and negative feelings can be expressed and pent-up emotions can be released by playing rather than talking. In this way, children are able to explore and gain control over their thoughts, feelings, and actions. This control contributes to a sense of mastery and builds up a child’s self-confidence.

There are many ways that children can benefit from Play Therapy. Research supports the effectiveness of Play Therapy with children experiencing a wide variety of social, emotional, behavioural, and learning problems, including post-traumatic stress, conduct disorder, aggression, anxiety/fearfulness, depression, ADHD, impulsivity, low self-esteem, reading difficulties, and social withdrawal. Play Therapy has been used successfully with children whose problems are related to life stresses such as divorce, death, relocation, hospitalization, chronic illness, physical/sexual abuse, domestic violence, and natural disasters.