Play Therapy

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What is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a therapeutic approach primarily used for children, helping them express their feelings and navigate their emotions through play. Since children often find it challenging to process their emotions or articulate their problems to adults, play therapy offers a unique and effective avenue for communication and healing.

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While it might look like ordinary playtime, play therapy is much more. Trained therapists use playtime to observe a child's behavior and gain insights into their issues. This approach allows therapists to help children explore their emotions, resolve trauma, and learn new coping mechanisms, as well as redirect inappropriate behaviors through the medium of play.

 

Benefits of Play Therapy

According to Play Therapy International, up to 71 percent of children referred to play therapy experience positive changes. Here's how play therapy can help:

- Increased Responsibility: Children learn to take more responsibility for their behaviors.
- Coping Strategies: They develop new ways to cope with challenges and solve problems creatively.
- Self-Respect: Therapy helps children build a sense of self-respect.
- Empathy: They learn to empathize with and respect others.
- Reduced Anxiety: Play therapy can help alleviate anxiety.
- Emotional Expression: Children learn to fully experience and express their feelings.
- Social Skills: They develop stronger social skills.
- Family Relationships: Therapy can help strengthen family bonds.

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Additionally, play therapy can encourage the use of language and improve both fine and gross motor skills.

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Although children might be hesitant at first, trust in the therapist usually grows over time. As their comfort increases, they often become more creative and verbal in their play, leading to significant therapeutic benefits.

Credit: https://www.healthline.com/health/play-therapy#benefits