Play therapy is a powerful approach to working with children, including those who have experienced trauma. Play therapy is typically used for families and children who are between 3 and 12 years old, but it’s not exclusive to this age group. In the case of children in foster care, play techniques will be used to help them heal from traumatic events that happened early in life, which often leads to attachment issues.
Being separated from their birth family is traumatic enough, however many young children in care will have experienced abuse, neglect, domestic violence or the loss of a relative which can be hard to process and overcome. Play therapy is also useful for children with learning or developmental delays.
Play therapy is an approach to counseling in which clinicians invite youth to use art materials, toys, games, and books to learn more about themselves, others, and the world. It promotes healing and growth. Overall, play therapy helps professionals build a relationship with a child, family, or group. It encourages a client’s self-expression, fosters support, encourages a child to explore views of self/others/the world, and helps them learn or practice skills. Licensed clinicians such as counselors, social workers, psychologists, or medical professionals, can use play therapy techniques for both assessment and intervention purposes in various settings, including schools.
Children and adults communicate very differently, so it’s not easy for kids to articulate what they’re thinking or feeling to an adult. It can also be the case that adults don't pick up on a child’s cues, from their speech to their body language. As adults, when we become frustrated, angry, upset, excited, or nervous, we often talk through these feelings with others, or even in our own minds. You may use a journal to write about the situation and help yourself think more clearly. However, children have not yet developed these coping skills. They may not have the words to express how they’re feeling or know how to describe it. Their emotions are often displayed through behavior and actions. Sometimes these behaviors are undesirable or disruptive. Usually, children who have experienced trauma early in life have a lot of hurt and anger bottled up that they can’t express appropriately. Some may be emotionally numb, tense and closed up while others can have bouts of aggression, throw tantrums and say things they don’t mean.
That’s why in play therapy, the therapist joins the child in their creative, imaginative and playful world to gain a better understanding of what issues the child has and works with them to resolve the trauma. Children use play to express themselves, act out feelings, solve conflicts and understand relationship dynamics. A play therapist will observe how the child uses toys, as they might be symbols for something deeper, and use therapeutic activities to explore emotions and work through past events.
Play therapy offers a way for children to express themselves in a safe, comfortable environment through something they enjoy – playing. It is a natural medium and can lend itself to all types of communication. During play therapy, your child may be able to choose from multiple types of toys to play with, ranging from trucks and dolls to puzzles and blocks. The therapist may start by observing what they choose and how they interact with these toys before engaging in side-by-side play or asking questions. They create a trusting environment where your child feels safe opening up.
Through these interactions, the therapist can get to know your child and better understand the challenges they are dealing with. Why they’re acting out or having trouble following directions. Then, play is used to reinforce more positive behaviors and communication. It can be used as way of practicing sharing or socialization, taking turns, or following directions. Children may not even realize that they’re working and learning because it takes place in an enjoyable way.
