What Happens During Play Therapy?
Therapist Susan Scheftel, Ph.D., says that she allows children to play with any of the toys she has in her office, including crayons, board games, dolls, blocks, and puzzles. She says that watching children engage in play is often a look into what they’re feeling and that when kids can “play it out,” challenging behaviours usually disappear. For example, a child who witnessed their parents fighting may create peaceful, happy scenes with dolls in a dollhouse. A child who might act out at school may become calm and patient after playing.
Scheftel mentions that every child is different, so bringing your child to more than one session of play therapy is crucial. It takes time to understand each child’s communication methods and for the child to feel comfortable with the therapist.
What Kind of Children do Therapists Work With?
With some adults embracing play therapy components, it can benefit everyone, but it’s especially appropriate for children between the ages of 3 and 12. Play therapists help children manage their emotions, develop more appropriate behaviours in challenging situations, learn better coping skills, socialize properly with others, and express their feelings.
Play therapy is also one of the most effective methods of helping children maintain their mental health and learn how to cope with troublesome life events. Suppose your child has experienced a significant life crisis or was diagnosed with behaviour disorders or mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety disorders. In that case, they will most definitely experience the multiple benefits play therapy has to offer.
Pros of Play Therapy
Play therapy is often between just the therapist and the child. Therapists allow children to freely express themselves without worrying about what their parents will think of their behaviour. This type of private interaction can help build a child’s trust with their therapist. It can also help get to the root of their challenges. For parents who don’t know why their child is undergoing certain behaviours or if their child’s difficulties are unknown, play therapy can be of great help. In some instances, the family may be involved in play therapy sessions, or the therapist may advise how the family can use play therapy techniques at home.
Here are the benefits of play therapy to children listed by the Association for Play Therapy.
- Children learn coping strategies. They are also able to acquire problem-solving skills for major life challenges, like death and grief in the family.
- Children become accountable for their behaviours and realize how their actions affect those around them.
- They learn new and more vital social skills.
- A child develops creative ways to deal with challenging emotions instead of acting out.
- Play therapy helps in finding healthier coping mechanisms to alleviate mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.
- It creates a safe environment for children to experience and express their feelings without fearing the consequences.
- It helps children increase their confidence and self-esteem.
Potential Negative Impacts of Play Therapy
Just like any other profession, therapists are not equal. The experiences your child will have in play therapy will mostly depend on the abilities of their therapist. If your child doesn’t like the therapist or there’s no connection between your child and the therapist, play therapy will appear ineffective. It’s okay to shop around for a great therapist before scheduling an appointment for your child. To reap the benefits of play therapy, choosing the right therapist for your child is essential.
However, there’re a few potential drawbacks of play therapy:
- Play therapy can be a long process. Play therapy sessions typically last for about 45 minutes each, but research has shown that it takes an average of 20 total sessions before a problem is resolved. Some children may need less or more depending on what they’re experiencing in their life.
- It doesn’t work for every child or every problem. Like any other form of treatment, play therapy isn’t guaranteed to help every child. Sometimes, children’s play might not convey anything to the therapist. Some children may also be too shy to engage with the therapist fully.
- More research is needed. The idea of play therapy itself is ambiguous, but the way it’s executed in a therapeutic setting needs to be studied further. Some therapists are great at using play therapy and accomplish remarkable results. Others might not know how to use it effectively.
For more information on various therapy methods and how we can help your child reap the benefits of play therapy, visit Oakville Wellness Center.