Celebrating Play Therapy Week at Tree of Life Counseling & Consulting

By Joy Norwood - Licensed Professional Counselor

My greatest passion in life is enabling children and adolescents in achieving better mental health, and I have done so throughout my career as both a school counselor and mental health counselor. At Tree of Life, I offer a variety of therapeutic services to children, and one of the most successful I’ve found in providing them with the tools they need to succeed is the innovative practice of Play Therapy. As we celebrate International Play Therapy Week, I wanted to share more about what exactly it is, and how it can help the children in your life.

Play therapy is a therapeutic approach primarily used with children as young children often lack the verbal skills to express their emotions, thoughts, or experiences. It provides them with an outlet to process their feelings and work through difficult situations. Play Therapy supports emotional health while encouraging important skills like problem-solving, communication, and emotional regulation. I believe children express themselves naturally through play, and by guiding them through various activities, therapists can help them address emotional, behavioral, or social issues.

A Quick Look Into Play Therapy:

1. Therapeutic Relationship:

A strong, trusting relationship between the child and the therapist is key. A Counselor’s duty is to provide a safe and supportive environment where the child openly expresses themselves.

2. Techniques:

Directive Play Therapy: The therapist leads the play, guiding the child through specific activities designed to help them explore particular emotions or issues. They might use role-playing, art, or storytelling to help the child process experiences.
Non-Directive Play Therapy (or Client-Centered Play Therapy): Child chooses the play activity while counselor only observes, providing minimal guidance. Their role is only to create a safe space and offer emotional support.

3. Types of Play Therapy:

Toys: Dolls, action figures, blocks, and the like can represent different scenarios, helping the child process experiences or conflicts.
Art and Drawing: Sometimes children express emotions more effectively through drawing or creating artwork that depicts what they may not have words for.
Games and Role-Playing: These can allow children to enact and re-enact situations, helping them to understand or reframe certain experiences.

4. Benefits:

Helps children cope with trauma, anxiety, grief, depression, or behavioral problems.
Fosters emotional growth and social skills.
Allows children to gain insight into their feelings in a safe and controlled environment.
Provides a way to understand and address conflicts within the family or school setting.

5. Who Can Benefit:

Children facing trauma, divorce, or loss.
Children with behavioral issues or struggles in school.
Kids with anxiety, depression, or social difficulties.
Children with conditions like autism, ADHD, or developmental delays.

I truly believe it’s a fascinating and insightful way to help children, respecting their developmental stage and the most natural means of expression they have—play. Do you have any particular aspect of play therapy you're curious about? If so, call our front office at 337-703-2806 or book a consultation online with me today!