Play Therapy
“Enter into a children’s play and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, and souls meet.” -Virginia Axline
What is Play Therapy?
The Association for Play Therapy (APT ) defines play therapy as the “systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development.”
What Are the Benefits of Play Therapy?
Play therapy helps children:
- Become more responsible for their behaviors and develop more successful strategies
- Develop new and creative solutions to problems
- Develop respect and acceptance of self and others
- Learn to experience and express emotion
- Cultivate empathy and respect for thoughts and feelings of others
- Learn new social skills and relational skills with family
- Develop self-efficacy and a better assuredness about their abilities
Play therapy aims to help a child’s growth and development. The practice of play therapy requires extensive, specialized education, training and experience.
“Toys are children’s words and play is their language.”
-Garry Landreth.
If you’re interested in learning more about play therapy and how it can help your child grow, contact our office today for a free consultation.
Learn more about Play Therapy at The Association for Play Therapy's Parents' Conner: