Children can benefit enormously from psychotherapy. There are often situations that become challenging for them, a therapist can help them gain the tools needed to overcome those situations. An effective approach with children is Play Therapy. Call Us at - (905) 593-2631

1. PLAY THERAPY
Website - ​https://www.bayridgecounsellingcentres.ca/​ Ph. No. ​(905) 593-2631

2. Children can benefit enormously from psychotherapy. There are often situations
that become challenging for them, a therapist can help them gain the tools
needed to overcome those situations. An effective approach with children is Play
Therapy.
As explained by Virginia Axline (1969), an expert in the field: ​“Play Therapy is
based upon the fact that play is the child’s natural medium of
self-expression. It is an opportunity for the child to ‘play out’ his/her
feelings and problems just as adults talk out their difficulties.”
Website - ​https://www.bayridgecounsellingcentres.ca/​ Ph. No. ​(905) 593-2631

3. Once we reach adulthood, we’ve learned to communicate our thoughts and
feelings verbally, we’ve also become familiar with identifying our feelings and
their possible causes, children are not there yet. Most young children don’t have
the vocabulary or even the emotional awareness to understand and
communicate what goes on in their inside world.
A child would most likely “act out” the feelings that are unsettling her/him instead
of verbalizing them. Adults are often confused and unable to understand and
respond to what the child is trying to communicate through behavior, situation
that can end up in frustration for both parties.
When adults demand from a child a solely verbal communication about emotions
he/she is wrongly assuming that both child and adult have the same level of
expression and ability to communicate verbally.
Play therapy provides the means and environment to allow the therapist to
enter the child’s world and get a better understanding of what is happening
instead of asking the child to come into the adult world to communicate.
That’s the main characteristic and benefit of Play Therapy, ​it uses the child’s
language, considering his developmental stage and his/her perspective of
the world. Play serves to children as verbalization serves to adults; it
Website - ​https://www.bayridgecounsellingcentres.ca/​ Ph. No. ​(905) 593-2631

4. becomes a medium to express feelings, wishes and perceptions of
themselves and †he world around them.
The relationship between the child and the therapist is key to the success of the
therapeutic process. If the relationship is caring, empathetic and respectful and
the therapist is able to create a bond with the child, they will feel safe to
represent their feelings through the play materials they choose, how they play
with them and the stories they come up with. The bond formed between the child
and the therapist is what’s going to enable healing and growth for the child.
How does Play Therapy work?
During a session, instead of asking children direct questions while they sit down
and listen, ​play therapy uses toys (play materials) designed to meet the
emotional, social, psychological and developmental needs of the child.
The sessions can be directed or free, the psychotherapist designs the play
session according to the treatment goals. Every material and toy used serves a
purpose and the therapist interacts with the child while they play.
The game and symbolic experience that takes place in session becomes the
child’s language, the means to communicate their thoughts, feelings and ideas of
the world.
Website - ​https://www.bayridgecounsellingcentres.ca/​ Ph. No. ​(905) 593-2631

5. Symbolic representation is a safe way for children to express their
emotional experiences. Feelings like fear, guilt, anxiety, sadness and anger
can be transmitted to the toys and dramatized in various way.
Toys and the play setting become ways for the child to distance himself
from traumatic events and experiences and protect his/her feelings.
Another important aspect is that play provides the opportunity to change or
reverse the outcome of a traumatic event symbolically.
This means the child can change the things that he/she can’t control in real life
through play, getting the chance to discover an inner resolution that can help to
better cope with difficult circumstances. All these elements keep the session
from becoming emotionally overwhelming.
Characteristics of Play Therapy:
● The play therapy relationship is unique and central to the effect of therapy
● Provides a safe environment that is predictable and consistent for the child
● Allows children to participate and progress at their own pace and
according to their emotional readiness
● Considers the developmental stage of the child when designing and
implementing a treatment plan
● Weather it’s anxiety, depression, aggression, bullying, self-regulation or
trauma Play Therapy will open the doors for the child to communicate,
Website - ​https://www.bayridgecounsellingcentres.ca/​ Ph. No. ​(905) 593-2631

6. cope, resolve difficult situations, learn, heal and overcome emotional
challenges.
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Source: ​https://www.bayridgecounsellingcentres.ca/play-therapy-for-child/
Website - ​https://www.bayridgecounsellingcentres.ca/​ Ph. No. ​(905) 593-2631