Therapy through play
Through play, therapists can help children learn more adaptive behaviors in situations in which the child presents emotional or social deficits.
About the method
What is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is a structured, theoretical approach to therapy based on the child's learning and communication processes (Carmichael, 2006; Landreth, 2002; O. Connor & Schaefer, 1983). This method uses children's basic activity, which is playing. The therapist plays an active role in it, because by being emotionally attuned to children, they give them the opportunity to express themselves through play. During therapy, thanks to the unconditional acceptance of therapists, children have the opportunity to exist and be themselves. Therapists use Play Therapy long-term, strategically to help children express what is problematic for them when children do not have the verbal skills to express their thoughts and feelings (Gil, 1991).
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Through play, therapists can help children learn more adaptive behaviors in situations in which they present emotional or social deficits (Pedro-Carroll & Reddy, 2005). The positive relationship that develops between the therapist and the child during a Play Therapy session provides corrective emotional experiences that are essential to treatment (Moustakas, 1997). Play Therapy can also be used to stimulate cognitive development and provides insight into a child's dysfunctional thinking and internal conflicts, providing the child with ways to resolve them (O?Connor & Schaefer, 1983; Reddy, Files-Hall & Schaefer, 2005)
Step by step therapy
Starting therapy
Play Therapy is a structured, theoretical approach to therapy based on the child's learning and communication processes (Carmichael, 2006; Landreth, 2002; O. Connor & Schaefer, 1983). This method uses children's basic activity, which is playing. The therapist plays an active role in it, because by being emotionally attuned to children, they give them the opportunity to express themselves through play. During therapy, thanks to the unconditional acceptance of therapists, children have the opportunity to exist and be themselves. Therapists use Play Therapy long-term, strategically to help children express what is problematic for them when children do not have the verbal skills to express their thoughts and feelings (Gil, 1991).
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Through play, therapists can help children learn more adaptive behaviors in situations in which they present emotional or social deficits (Pedro-Carroll & Reddy, 2005). The positive relationship that develops between the therapist and the child during a Play Therapy session provides corrective emotional experiences that are essential to treatment (Moustakas, 1997). Play Therapy can also be used to stimulate cognitive development and provides insight into a child's dysfunctional thinking and internal conflicts, providing the child with ways to resolve them (O?Connor & Schaefer, 1983; Reddy, Files-Hall & Schaefer, 2005)
