For a therapist, reaching the emotions of a young child is a difficult proposition – even though the child has learned to talk and communicate, discussing the deeper implications of their emotions with an adult isn’t yet a skill they’ve mastered. Directly asking a child about difficult subjects can cause them to clam up and refuse to share anything more with the therapist, reducing the positive effect of a session. Described by Kathleen Mills, owner and counselor at Life Tree Counseling, as “a magical, misunderstood thing, ” play therapy is a method to reach these children, typically between the ages of 4 and 9, on a level that they can both understand and express themselves in.
Pioneered by Gary Landreth of the University of North Texas, play therapy has been in use since the 1960s, and continues to be a valuable tool in child therapy sessions today. Where talk therapy might fall short due to the lack of emotional maturity in a young patient, play therapy offers a novel, appealing solution.
How Play Therapy Works
Play therapy uses the familiar objects of playtime to give a child the ability to express themselves without feeling like they’re being observed and questioned. The child is given the reins in a session, meaning that they are usually allowed to pick the toys or tools they’ll be playing with during that time. This allows them to feel in control and be more relaxed as the therapist plays with them, be it with dolls, paints, clay, or other toys. This way, the child feels safe and is more likely to allow their troubles or concerns to set the tone in their play session, revealing them to the therapist in the process.
How Play Therapy Incorporates Parents
The therapist will also sit down and talk with the parent or parents separately, in an attempt to make sense of both sides of a situation. If a parent reports that the child lashes out during bedtime, for instance, that will be a clue to the therapist to watch carefully for those themes within the realm of play. If a child introduces aggressive themes in a painting about their siblings, the therapist may question the parents about the family dynamic in the home for more insight. With two sources of input, a therapist is better equipped to identify and solve problems and promote harmony within the home.
Play Therapy for Unique Children
Statistics from Play Therapy UK state that between 74% and 83% of children surveyed that had play therapy sessions showed a positive change. Used to open the “shell” of children afflicted with disabilities like deafness and ADHD, play therapy helps therapists reach children that may not otherwise allow anyone into their own private world. By using the natural, familiar process of playing to put them at ease, a therapist can work around a disability to make a real difference in patients with challenging problems. In addition, children that have endured a tragedy such as losing a parent or witnessing a violent act can release some of their anger and confusion with the therapeutic method of expressing emotions through toys.
For more information concerning play therapy or to setup an appointment call us at (972) 234-6634
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