The Power of Play: Understanding Play Therapy and It's Power to Heal

People usually understand how talking to someone about your problems can help. But what exactly is play therapy, and how does it help? Play therapy harnesses the natural urges of humans to play, create, and imagine to bring healing and wellness to mental and emotional challenges.

Although primarily used with children, it can be used at any age- including adults. Play therapy is led by a play therapist. Registered play therapists are specialists that have gone through extensive training and supervision.

There are two main branches of play therapy: directive and non-directive (sometimes called child-centered). Directive play therapy happens when the therapist determines the activity and can include a wide variety of models and techniques such as games and sand tray.

Directive play therapy works by using the power of play to teach and encourage communication. A therapist might have the participant play a game that allows them to practice managing anxiety or create art that describes the story of a difficult experience.

Non-directive play therapy allows the child to be in charge of the play. It is based on the principal that children will play out what they need to in order to process difficult experiences and emotions. Children are often able to process traumatic experiences this way.

This type of therapy is led by a therapist who is highly attuned to the child, allows the child to create their own meanings, and is trained to understand and support them. During child-centered play, therapists reflect on play, observe themes, and set boundaries when needed.

Play therapy uses a wide variety of toys, games, art supplies, and creative materials. Although the options are limitless, it typically uses the following types of materials: pretend toys, sand trays with miniature figures, doll houses, blocks, games, and art supplies.

Play therapy has been shown effective with a wide variety of concerns including trauma, anxiety, divorce, depression, ADHD, autism, PTSD, and self -regulation (what some parents call anger management).

Although parents often are skeptical that play can be therapeutic, research shows the benefits of play therapy. The truth is that the language of childhood is play. That means the way kids communicate their problems and the way they learn to manage them happen through play.

Play therapy can be incredibly useful at allowing children to express their emotions, reduce anxiety and depression, increase felt safety, be themselves, gain confidence, exert control in a safe space, practice social skills, manage family changes, and communicate better.