Play therapy helps children to communicate their needs and problems through the modality of play. When children experience difficulties they will tend to act out their problems because they do not have the cognitive abilities to discuss what is bothering them. In play therapy the specific developmental appropriate toys aid the children to find the right words and this is communicated in play. Toys are children’s words and the play is their language.
Play Therapy is helpful for children to:
- Become more responsible for 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 emotions.
- Cultivate empathy and respect for thoughts and feelings of others.
- Learn new social skills and relational skills with family
- Develop self-efficacy and thus a better assuredness about their abilities
The positive relationship that develops between therapist and child during play therapy sessions provides a corrective emotional experience necessary for healing (Moustakas, 1997).
Each play therapy session varies in length but usually last about 30 to 50 minutes. Sessions are usually held weekly. Research suggests that it takes an average of 20 play therapy sessions to resolve the problems of the typical child referred for treatment. Of course, some children may improve much faster while more serious or ongoing problems may take longer to resolve (Landreth, 2002; Carmichael, 2006).
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