Play Therapy

This is a hard question to answer and yet probably the one most important to you. Our first response is that all children and caregivers can benefit from play therapy. Research shows that play therapy is effective in building parent-child relationships, reducing parenting stress, and increasing a child’s self-concept. These are goals for all children and parents even when children are not exhibiting behavioral problems. Our second response is that play therapy has been shown to be effective with minor to severe emotional and behavioral problems. If your child is experiencing moodiness, engaging in worrisome behaviors, or just doesn’t seem like themselves, then you should seek consultation with a play therapist. At EmpathyWell, we’re not in this for the money. We will work with you to quickly determine whether your child would benefit from play therapy, or if another service is needed, or if your child is just being a child and there is no need for services. We want you to feel good about your child and your relationship with your child and will do our best to make this happen through clear communication about our observations and insights regarding your situation. Based on observation, assessment, and consultation with the play therapist, you will be the one to make the most informed decision about if your child needs play therapy.

Play therapy is a counseling approach in which the relationship between therapist and child is the foundation for therapeutic change. The therapist provides attitudinal conditions and developmentally appropriate materials to facilitate free expression and self-directed play of the child. Play serves as the child’s language. In a safe environment, the child moves toward positive behaviors and ways of being.

But how does all of this actually result in greater wellness, regulation, and behaviors for children? You may have noticed that even if your child has a strong vocabulary and ability to talk, they often struggle with expressing their feelings clearly or explaining why they do the things they do. In play therapy, your child will be able to express themselves in their developmentally appropriate language of play, often using the toys as words rather than talking. This is the first way that play therapy helps. The child expresses themselves more clearly and the therapist is skillful and attuned to listening in the language of play. This leads to less frustration for your child when they try to explain or understand themselves.

The second way that play therapy helps is that the play therapist facilitates the development of skills in your child such as appropriate expression of feelings, learning to regulate their feelings and behaviors, following limits, increasing empathy, and taking responsibility. Play therapists’ responses are designed to facilitate specific skills for your child. Through your child’s relationship with the therapist, your child will feel safe to engage in creative and constructive ways to get their needs met and develop positive coping skills.

The third way that play therapy can help is that the play therapist will work with you to develop greater understanding of your child’s needs and motivations, as well as help you develop skills to respond to your child in ways that will develop your child’s wellness and your relationship with your child.

We recommend that you as the parent or primary caretaker watch the video Introduction to Play Therapy for Parents to help you understand how play therapy will be beneficial to your child and your family.

In play therapy, children are the primary clients who are entitled to a confidential relationship with their counselors. Just as an adult would not want others watching or knowing what they talk about in therapy, children deserve this same sort of freedom to talk or play in a safe environment free from parent expectations, emotions, or judgment. At EmpathyWell, we do not allow parents or caretakers to observe play therapy sessions. However, we also believe in the parent’s rights and responsibilities for their child. We will work consistently with parents or custodial caregivers to keep parents informed of themes and progress of their child’s play therapy sessions. We will listen and respond to parent concerns regarding their child’s play therapy in order to ensure that parents feel fully involved and knowledgeable of how their child is progressing in play therapy.

A play therapist is a licensed mental health professional who has additional training and experience in play therapy. The Association for Play Therapy provides training and accreditation for Registered Play Therapists. The program involves special training in childhood problems as well as direct clinical supervision. Licensed mental health professionals, school counselors, and school psychologists with a master’s or doctoral degree are eligible for training.

Experience counts: It is advisable to seek a therapist who has not just extensive training but experience using play therapy to treat children presenting with concerns similar to yours.

As with all forms of therapy, it is important to find a play therapist with whom you feel comfortable. Look for someone with whom you can establish clarity of communication and a sense of good fit.

You might ask a prospective therapist such questions as:

How often have you dealt with problems such as those my child is experiencing?

How do you know whether my child is a good candidate for play therapy?

How does play therapy work?

What is a typical plan of treatment, and how long is a typical course of therapy?

How do you measure progress?