Benefits of Child-Centered Play Therapy
In parent intake sessions, the following comment is often made. “I don’t think my child’s therapist is helping because they are only playing.”
While child-centered play therapy is an approach that is play based, there are specific therapeutic objectives the therapist is tracking during play. In this blog post, we explore the myriad benefits of play therapy, shedding light on how this innovative approach fosters healing and growth.
Emotional Expression
One of the primary advantages of play therapy is its ability to facilitate emotional expression. Children, and even adults, may struggle to articulate their feelings verbally. A child will use play to show their experiences, feelings, and reactions to what they have experienced, what they need, and how they feel about themselves. Play therapists look for repeated play behaviors within and across sessions, high levels of emotion or intensity, the amount of time spent on an activity, ideas and emotions expressed similarly with different behaviors, and context related to early development, personality characteristics, and significant life events.
Building Trust and Rapport
Play therapy creates a safe and trusting space for clients to interact with their therapists. The non-directive nature of play allows individuals to explore their thoughts and feelings at their own pace. The child and therapist must be in a trusting relationship, must both be present and interested in the play, and the therapist must communicate an understanding of the child’s world and employ positive regard throughout the relationship. It is important for the child to recognize the therapist cares, accepts, and understands them.
Enhancing Communication Skills
Play therapy helps improve communication skills, particularly in children who may not have fully developed verbal abilities. As they engage in play, individuals learn to express themselves, listen to others, and develop effective communication strategies. These skills are transferable to various aspects of life, including relationships and academic settings.
Coping Mechanism Development
Through play children often experience a feeling of control and begin to learn ways of coping while developing an internal source of evaluation and trust in oneself. For a child to meet these objectives, therapists engage in necessary and sufficient conditions to naturally create therapeutic change.
Self-Esteem and Confidence Building
Engaging in play activities fosters a sense of accomplishment and mastery, contributing to the development of self-esteem and confidence. The therapist works with the child through play to develop a more positive self- concept, to assume greater self-responsibility, to become more self-directing, self-accepting, and self-reliant, as well as engaged in self-determined decision making.
Gary Landreth, the father of child-centered play therapy, once said, “Birds fly, fish swim, and children play,” and “A child will not change until a child is free not to change.” Another child-centered play therapist says, “Now that you know, go play!” Play therapy has an ability to connect with individuals on a deeply personal level, fostering emotional expression, communication skills, and coping mechanisms. As we continue to explore and refine therapeutic approaches, play therapy remains a valuable and transformative tool for individuals of all ages.
Here at Atlanta Wellness Collective, we want to help. For support, contact us or request an appointment online.
This blog post was written by Angie Fowler, M.Ed, LPC.
Disclaimer: This blog is not intended to substitute professional therapeutic advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your health concerns and before starting or stopping therapies. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct professional advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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