How Play Therapy Can Help
At Sage House, we work with children, teens, adults, and families. Among the different forms of therapy we offer, we often utilize play therapy with many of our clients. Play therapy is a form of therapy that helps clients deal with emotional and mental issues. In addition, it is often helpful when working with children. Continue reading for more information on how play therapy can help children, teens, and even adults.
What is play therapy
Play therapy is used to help clients (often children) learn how to express and process their feelings and thoughts through play. Children may struggle to express themselves verbally. However, by using play in a therapy setting, a child may feel more comfortable sharing their problems, concerns, and beliefs. Children may use dolls, stuffed animals, puppets, figurines, and other play toys to help direct the course of therapy to meet their needs. Play therapy sessions may last from 20 minutes to an hour. Sessions may involve free play, a specific prompt, or both. On average, play therapy lasts for about 20 sessions. Therapists working with children during play therapy focus on accepting the child, developing trust and a sense of safety, and letting them lead the way. Research shows play therapy is an effective form of therapy. Positive results can be seen for years after treatment.
Benefits
For children, teens, and adults, play therapy can help with:
Development of motor skills
Decision-making skills
Problem-solving skills
Expression of feelings and thoughts
Behavioral and social issues
Increasing creativity
Increasing confidence
Improvement of cognitive function
Improvement of well-being
Who can it help
Children, adolescents, adults and families can all benefit from play therapy. Play therapy has been shown to help children who have experienced trauma. This could include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. It can also benefit children dealing with conflict, bullying, struggles with authority figures, conduct issues, or even developmental issues. In addition, play therapy can assist when therapeutically working to address big life changes like death, divorce, or separation from family. Furthermore, it can help with mental health challenges like anxiety or depression.
Play therapy can benefit those of all ages experiencing:
Developmental delays or problems
Autism spectrum disorder
Grief and loss
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Depression and other mood disorders
Anxiety
Bipolar disorder
Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
Kinds of play therapy
Various kinds of play therapy may include dollhouse play, self-control games, dance or movement play therapy, superhero play, block play, bubble play, baby doll play, or stuffed animal play. Sand play therapy (or sand tray therapy) is a type of therapy utilized at Sage House. Sand play involves playing with figurines in a sandbox. Often, the scenes and worlds created will reflect a client’s inner world including emotions, thoughts, and struggles. Clients of all ages can engage in sand play therapy. Similarly, art therapy is also utilized at Sage House. Art therapy is often integrated in play therapy. In conclusion, play therapy can benefit clients of all ages with a range of issues.
Are you looking for more support for your child or yourself? Please reach out to us. Our team of therapists is here to provide support and guidance. We look forward to connecting with you.
