What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a term that describes a number of different kinds of treatment methods, all helping young children communicate with the therapist and resolve issues. Through this therapy, children learn to express feelings, modify behavior, develop problem-solving skills, and learn a variety of ways of relating to others.
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“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
This type of therapy is not just talking to children while they engage 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. A therapist chooses specific toys to therapeutically guide the play with a child. The therapist can then help the child resolve problematic relationships, disruptive behavior, anger, sadness, anxiety and fears.
“Introducing Andrew -This isn’t how kids communicate” – Association for Play Therapy.