What Is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a theoretically based counseling approach which permits children ages two to ten to express themselves through a developmentally natural form of communication, play. Since the 1900s, play therapy has been used to treat children presenting with self harming behaviors, aggressiveness towards others, parental divorce, crying spells, trauma reactions and a host of other concerns.

Trained play therapists are knowledgeable about children’s development needs; therefore, they strive to create a safe and therapeutic environment to help children express themselves, cope with whatever troubles them, and demonstrate adaptive behaviors. Because of the therapeutic relationship children are able to enhance their self esteem, exercise self-control and responsibility, and become more creative and resourceful in confronting problems.