Play Therapy

Who is Play Therapy for?

Children are referred to play therapy to resolve emotional or behavioral challenges. This can include separation anxiety, acting out at home or school, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, poor social skills, defiance/aggression, or children struggling with divorce parent conflicts.

Play therapy is mostly used with children, but can be used with adolescents and adults as well. Play therapy is also an appropriate therapy for addressing trauma, and can be supportive for both children and adults.

How does Play Therapy work?

Play therapy is unique because a child comes to a safe, confidential, and empathetic space where they are able to play in many of the ways that they need to. The therapist sets as few limits as possible to allow the child to play more freely, while still providing needed structure and boundaries for safety and security. This allows healing to occur in the ways a child needs. Sometimes a child plays in a way that seems to show very literally what a child is working on, and often a child plays in a way that seems to show more symbolically what a child is working on. Either way, the child’s play is important and meaningful and will progress in the way it needs to. The therapist responds in a specific and therapeutic way to support the child’s progression and address issues and skills as needed.