Play Therapy Objectives and FAQ

What is Play Therapy? Play therapy is to children what counseling is to adults. Play therapy utilizes play, children's natural medium of expression, to help them express their feelings more easily through toys instead of words. Association for Play Therapy (APT) defines play therapy as "the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development." In the textbook Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (2nd ed.), Landreth (2002) defined child-centered play therapy: A dynamic interpersonal relationship between a child (or person of any age) and a therapist trained in play therapy procedures who provides selected play materials and facilitates the development of a safe relationship for the child (or person of any age) to fully express and explore self (feelings, thoughts, experiences, and behaviors) through play, the child's natural medium of communication, for optimal growth and development. (p. 16) Play Therapy Objectives The objectives of Child-Centered Play Therapy: 1. Develop a more positive self-concept 2. Resume greater self-responsibility 3. Become more self-directing 4. Become more self-accepting 5. Become more self-reliant 6. Engage in self-determined decision making 7. Experience a feeling of control 8. Become sensitive to the process of coping 9. Become an internal source of evaluation 10. Become more trusting of self Landreth, Garry, 1992. Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship Answers for Parents Does my child need play therapy? Throughout their lives, most children go through difficult times, such as the divorce of their parents, trouble making friends, or adjusting to changes at school or home. Some children need more help than others to get through these times. If you or other adults in your child's life are concerned about your child's behavior, play therapy can help. It is the most appropriate treatment for helping your child work through difficult times and helping you gain a better understanding of what your child is going through. What toys are in a play room and why? Toys are carefully selected for the play therapy room to facilitate creative and emotional expression from children. The types of toys used can be played with in many ways and therefore allow for decision-making in children. They are also very durable and sturdy to allow for repeated use and rough play. Why play therapy? Play Therapy is the most appropriate method of treatment for children who are having difficulties coping with life situations. Though children lack the cognitive skills to express themselves with words, they are fluent in the language of play. Play therapy allows them to express themselves in the way in which they are most comfortable. How long does a child receive play therapy? The length of time a child is seen in play therapy varies from child to child. It depends upon the severity of the trauma, the child's personality, and how the child perceived the trauma. This can be discussed with your child's play therapist during consultation times. What's the difference between play therapy and playing with my child at home? Play therapists are specifically trained to provide an environment of acceptance, empathy and understanding in the play therapy room. Play therapy is not the same thing as playing. Play therapy uses the child's natural tendency to "play out" their reactions to life situations, in the presence of a trained play therapist, to help the child feel accepted and understood and gain a sense of control or understanding of difficult situations. How much does play therapy typically cost? The cost of play therapy varies dramatically depending upon geographical location, type of organization, insurance coverage, and availability of play therapy providers. Some insurance companies provide full or partial coverage for play therapy, however not all facilities or play therapists accept insurance as payment for services. Some providers offer sliding payment scales based upon financial need of the client. Contact play therapists directly for specific information regarding costs. What is group play therapy? Group play therapy is similar to individual play therapy in many ways, but is different in that usually between 2 and 4 children spend their play therapy time together with one play therapist. Group play therapy provides children with the opportunity to learn and practice social skills in situations that are very similar to real life social situations. Can I watch my child in play therapy? Just as a counselor who works with adults keeps the information shared in sessions confidential, your child's play therapist will keep the information from their sessions confidential (exceptions apply). However, he or she will meet with you periodically to discuss your child's play in general themes, hear your concerns, and talk about any questions you may have related to your child's progress in play therapy. I'm in a custody battle over my child; Can play therapy help my child? The play therapy environment is a place where children are accepted and understood. Many children caught in the middle of a custody battle experience lots of feelings, such as anger, fear, and uncertainty. Due to changes at home, children may not feel safe to express their emotions to their parents. Play therapy provides a safe place for children to express these emotions to an accepting and understanding person. Can a play therapist tell me if my child has been abused? Through the course of building a relationship and engaging in the process of play therapy, your child's play therapist will watch for themes in your child's play. Over time and across sessions, your child's play therapist may be able to observe enough information to either support or contradict an assumption you may have regarding abuse of your child. Retrieved from http://cpt.unt.edu/about-us/faq/parents-faq/ on 6/12/10