Play therapy is a therapeutic technique used for children and young teens. It involves the use of toys, art, and games to help young individuals process mental health challenges they encounter throughout their childhood like trauma, behavioral problems, divorce, or bullying.
Thriveworks play therapists in Ashland work with young individuals to help them express themselves, release stress and other emotions, learn about their emotions, and heal from difficult experiences by using toys, games, and art to work through these issues in more digestible and accessible formats.
Play therapy, on average, can take around 20 sessions to effectively address a young individual’s mental health concerns. However, therapy is a very individualized process, meaning that more or fewer sessions might be required depending on the client’s condition and symptoms.
Play Therapy – Therapists and Counselors in Hanover, VA
Play therapy is a way to engage children in therapeutic activities that repair trauma responses, explore emotions, provide alternatives to negative behavior, and fosters self-competence and mastery. It is typically used with children between age 3 and 12, with some exceptions.
To schedule a play therapy session for your child, call Thriveworks Hanover, or simply book online to get matched with the right provider.
How Can Play Therapy Help My Child?
Play therapy can help children who are experiencing:
- Anger outbursts
- Aggression
- Depression
- Anxiety
- School refusal
- Separation issues
- Divorce
- Family conflict
- Hyperactivity
- Oppositional behavior
- And much more
Negative emotional states and abnormal behavior occur as a result of many factors. These may include biology and genetics, experiences in the past, temperament, attachment, relationships, parenting, or learned behaviors, which can all affect children.
How Does Play Therapy Work?
A Thriveworks Play Therapist will take a non-judgmental, caring approach to helping your child and family regain stability and move forward. You will be included in the therapy to the extent necessary for progress and your comfort level. This will include regular updates, joint sessions, parent education, and informational handouts.
Play therapy may include:
- Art work
- Storytelling
- Puppet play
- Playdough
- Sandtray
- Games
- Role plays
- Singing and dance
- Playing with toys
There are two main types of play therapy. These are directive and non-directive. Non-directive play therapy involves the child guiding the play while the therapist tracks the play. Tracking is a way of showing the child you are with them, listening and watching what they’re expressing. Directive play therapy involves the therapist guiding the play and is more prescriptive in nature. Typically, your child will experience both during an episode of care.
Play therapy usually involves weekly sessions around 50 minutes each. The number of sessions your child will need to resolve the presenting problem will vary; but, on average, children need about 20 sessions to resolve issues fully.
Schedule A Session with Thriveworks Ashland
If you are interested in learning more about how play therapy may help your child, schedule a session online or simply give us a call to get started.
