About Play Therapy

Play Therapy is a modality designed to serve children based on their most effective form of communication – PLAY (Ray, 2011). Just as adults use words to communicate, children use play.

Play provides a developmentally responsive means for expressing thoughts and feelings, exploring relationships, making sense of experiences, disclosing wishes, and developing coping strategies (Landreth, 2002).

Play Therapy is an evidence-based approach that supports various populations and mental health concerns.

All humans play which means that any human of any age can benefit from Play Therapy. However, Play Therapy is especially appropriate for children ages 3 through 12 years old (Carmichael, 2006; Gil, 1991; Landreth, 2002; Schaefer, 1993).

One of the best videos to describe Play Therapy is Introducing Andrew as shown above.

The understanding of play as the natural mode of communication and self-expression for children has become the norm (Schaefer, 2008). The natural medium of communication for adults is verbalization, but for children it is play (Sweeney, 1997). Play Therapists join children in their play in order to gain a better understanding of the child’s inner and outer world. The toys become the words the child uses to express their feelings about their relationships and life experiences. Furthermore, Play Therapy empowers children to work through and confront difficult experiences and learn more effective ways to communicate, broaden problem-solving skills and increase emotional expression and regulation. There is so much power in play!

Visit a4pt.org for more information about play therapy.

To find a Registered Play Therapist™, we invite you to search the Association for Play Therapy’s Find a Play Therapist directory.

Benefits of Play Therapy

Developmentally Appropriate Self-Expression
Play provides a developmentally responsive means to explore motor, cognitive, affective, social and moral capacities and competencies (VanFleet, 2010).
Facilitates Communication
Play Therapy utilizes a child’s natural form of communication (PLAY) in order to communicate their perception of themselves and of their world, especially pertaining to their own feelings, thoughts, experiences, and behaviors.
Promotes Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving
The freedom of play allows children to process challenges and attempt various solutions without penalty. It provides emotional safety that enables them to explore their inner and outer worlds and apply their creativity to resolve challenges (VanFleet, 2010).
Increases Feeling Identification and Emotional Regulation
Exploration of feelings and needs increases self-reflection and insight. This then leads to the development of positive alternatives to communicate feelings and needs in a more adaptive and healthy way.
Stress Management
Play is fun! Play has a freeing effect. Play allows for joy and excitement. It decreases distress by providing the opportunity to play out overwhelming challenges in a fun and safe way.
Increases Sense of Control
Through play, children can experience a sense of control while learning to manage and regulate their feelings and impulses. By being in control of the play, children are able to take charge with less risk of harmful outcomes.
Cultivates Connection and Enhances Social Competence
The positive relationship that develops between the therapist and child during Play Therapy sessions can provide a corrective emotional experience necessary for healing (Moustakas, 1997). The child then learns relationship skills that can be applied to other social environments in their life.
Self-Understanding and Confidence
In a world where we can be anything, it is important to be ourselves. In Play Therapy, children explore and understand their own likes, interests, and abilities. They can increase their confidence in who they are and build a positive self-image.