What is it?
Play therapy is actually a term that describes a number of different kinds of treatment methods, all using play to help young children communicate with the therapist and resolve issues. Through play therapy, children learn to express feelings, modify behavior, develop problem-solving skills, and learn a variety of ways of relating to others.
“Play is the language of children. In play therapy the toys are the words, and the play activity is the conversation.
Heather Maritano, LCSW, RPT-S
Play therapy is not just talking to children while they play with toys or a game. Certified play therapists use very specific techniques designed to create the setting where children can act out their worries, fears, concerns and relationships through therapeutic toys and other equipment. Toys are specifically chosen to address the particular issues the child is having in order to therapeutically guide the play. The therapist can then help the child resolve problematic relationships, disruptive behavior, anger, sadness, anxiety and fears.
Our therapists for this modality are Bree Russo, LCSW, Tiffany Leonard. LMHC, Melissa Hinkle, LCSW and Meg Lewis, LPC. Ms. Russo is also a registered play therapist supervisor and Ms. Lewis is a board registered art therapist.