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Understanding Play Therapy
Play therapy is different from the 'talk therapy' in which adults participate. Many child therapists believe that play therapy is the most suitable form of treatment for children who live with distress. Examples are: grief or loss due to a death or divorce; fear, confusion, and/or anger related to living with a parent who abuses substances; low self-worth; inability to contain impulses or aggression; shyness; physical difference from peers; school problems; and the effects of physical or sexual abuse or neglect. In play therapy many media are used; sand tray, puppets, art materials, doll play, storytelling, clay work, and so on.
We use play to do therapy with children for several reasons. It is the most natural activity of children. They spend many hours a day in play. For example, you have probably heard your child play doctor after a trip to the pediatrician's office. Or maybe you've observed children making 'play meals' for each other with play dough.
We use play because it is active -- children are often easily bored with sitting and talking. Play is also a good vehicle for children to express their emotions. They use play activities as a way to communicate symbolically what is happening in their lives and how they are feeling.
The presence of a trained therapist makes play therapy different from regular play in a variety of ways:
- The therapist's total attention is given to the child during the session. The therapist watches what a child chooses to play with, and how the child plays, e.g., energetically, passively, aggressively, etc. The therapist listens to the story line of the play to better understand the child's life.
- The therapist understands the symbolic communication in the child's play.
- The therapist puts into words what the child is saying through play so the child can make sense of her/his inner thoughts and feelings.
- The therapist facilitates problem solving through play choices.
- The therapist enables the child through play to practice behaviors that are difficult until a child feels adequate and safe.
- The therapist helps a child discharge emotion in a play setting so he/she feels calmer and more in control of feelings.
- The therapist allows repetition of play until a resolution of inner turmoil is met.
- The therapist understands that regression to earlier developmental stage behavior may be necessary when trauma has occurred. For example, a four year old who is toilet trained may begin to wet or soil if the family goes through a conflict-ridden divorce. Therefore, in the playroom the child may spend time playing with the doll's potty-chair.
- The therapist understands that the current week's events may be very important to the parent, but may not necessarily be important to the child nor relate to the child's underlying problems and feelings; therefore, the therapist does not pressure the child to share the week's happenings.
- The therapist understands that reliving trauma in a safe environment is the way the child masters the overwhelming and frightening feelings related to the trauma. The terapist allows the pain to emerge and fosters ways of expressing it so healing can take place.
- Many children will not reveal the full extent of their painful feelings to their parents because they may want to protect their parents or they may fear consequences. However, parents themselves may sense that their child is not feeling well emotionally, or are told by teachers or doctors that something is wrong. At this point, they may seek professional help.
We know that the key to successful play therapy is a child's sense of being safe and understood. The fact that the therapist is not involved in the child's life, other than in therapy, can contribute to this sense of safety.
The child needs freedom to work at his/her own pace on what the child feels comfortable with at the time. The safer the child feels with the therapist, the more the child can allow his/her pain to be expressed in play and behavior.
The therapist will stay in communication with the parents to give support and understanding for what is happening. This open communication with both the child and parents will create a feeling of teamwork and offer hope during a difficult time.
For many years, therapists have seen distressed children for counseling form an important relationship with a play therapist, work out their troubles and pains in the playroom, leave behind whatever has interfered with their growth, and depart playful, happy children.
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