Play Therapy

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Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy that is primarily used for children. Since children may not have the verbal language for their feelings and experiences yet, play is how they best learn and communicate. Play is their natural way of expressing themselves and making sense of the world, which is why play therapy is so effective.

There are numerous benefits to play therapy. 

Play therapy helps children:

• Take responsibility for their own behaviors and develop more successful strategies.
• Find new creative solutions to problems.
• Respect and accept themselves and others.
• Experience and express their emotions.
• Cultivate empathy and respect for others.
• Learn new social skills and relational skills, and develop self-efficacy.
• Become more confident in their own abilities.

Play therapy may also encourage the use of language and the development of fine motor skills.

Play therapy is commonly utilized in treating:

• Anxiety disorders
• Social anxiety
• OCD
• Depression
• ADHD
• Autism spectrum
• Trauma and grief
• Academic, social, and physical learning disabilities

Play therapy uses activities and materials such as clay, blocks, puppets, action figures, dolls, finger paint, and other art supplies and toys to allow the child to express themselves.