Play therapy is a method of meeting and responding to the mental health needs of children and is extensively acknowledged by experts as an effective and suitable intervention in dealing with children’s brain development.
2. Definition
A form of counselling or psychotherapy in
which play is used as a means of helping
children express or communicate their
feelings.
3. Importance
Play therapy is generally employed with children
aged 3 through 11
It provides a way for them to express their
experiences and feelings through a natural, self-
guided, self-healing process.
Children’s experiences and knowledge are often
communicated through play,
It becomes an important vehicle for them to know
and accept themselves and others.
4. Advantage
Better social integration,
Growth and development,
Emotional modulation,
Trauma resolution.
Play therapy can also be used as a tool of
diagnosis
6. Non-directive play therapy
Non-directive play therapy is a non-intrusive method
in which children are encouraged to work toward
their own solutions to problems through play.
It is typically classified as a psychodynamic therapy.
7. Directive play therapy
Directive play therapy is a method that includes more
structure and guidance by the therapist as children work
through emotional and behavioral difficulties through play.
It often contains a behavioral component and the process
includes more prompting by the therapist
Directive play therapy is more likely to be classified as a type
of cognitive behavioral therapy.