When we have emotional or mental health concerns as adults, we frequently have the ability to notice that something is off. In some cases, we can even express our emotions to others. But this might not be possible with kids, especially with very young ones. Some kids might struggle to express themselves verbally, others might be bashful, and others might not feel particularly comfortable talking about their concerns. Play, a medium that comes extremely naturally to children, is therefore a more efficient way to examine their problems. Seeking help from the best Psychologist near me at TalktoAngel for more information on play therapy.
In play therapy, children’s emotional and mental health problems are addressed via play to assist children to deal with them. Children can explore their emotions and communicate them to the therapist or their parents by utilizing play as the medium.
Even as adults, it can be challenging to express our emotions. Children might also have a harder time explaining this. Play is a very natural approach for a youngster to learn about the world and come up with answers to common issues. Even just playing by itself might be cathartic for the kid. Children can create a safe distance from their problems so they can comprehend and come to grips with them without feeling judged or pressured to change by “acting out” life experiences and exploring feelings via play. In play therapy, the child and what’s best for them are the main focus.
Play provides a non-directive method for the therapist to better understand the child’s requirements. It is also possible to utilize play therapy in addition to other psychological testing methods. In other cases, the therapist will use play and art to help the child explore their emotions. Children three years of age and older can benefit from play therapy.
Typically in an office setting, the therapist sits across from the client and starts a dialog by posing questions and encouraging the client to express their needs and issues. Children may not respond well to this format because they may feel intimidated in the environment and be unable or reluctant to communicate their feelings.
Assisting in play therapy is:
- Creating a room with a variety of toys and playthings so that the child feels at ease. Toys (such as a dollhouse with dolls representing parents, grandparents, and children, plush animals, puppets, or other toys) and painting and craft supplies (such as paper, pens, colors, paints, and other stationery) are examples of possible assistance. The youngster is free to wander about, look around, and take part in any activities they like.
- Letting the child’s preferences and needs, rather than the expert’s predetermined views of how the therapy should continue, influence the course of the therapy
The duration of each play therapy session ranges from 45 to 1 hour.
The youngster is led to the playroom during a play therapy session and asked to investigate some toys that are suitable for his or her age. When a youngster is given the freedom to express themselves freely via play, they may choose toys that reflect their emotional moods or make drawings to describe their difficulties. Children from unhappy families would draw an image of a peaceful family; children with behavioral issues might use the toys available to shoot a doll with a gun or act out other violent scenarios.
The therapist records the child’s interpretations after seeing them play with the toys. (In some professional settings, a one-way mirror may be present to allow the therapist to see the kid as they play. This is especially helpful if the kid seems uncomfortable being watched.) The youngster may occasionally receive a directive or be asked to carry out a certain task. The therapist may chat with the child or the family at the conclusion of the session or after a few sessions to better comprehend the child’s expression.
Depending on the needs of the kid, the therapist occasionally decides to conduct group treatment sessions. The child may engage in playtime with other youngsters their own age or in group therapy.
Throughout the therapeutic interaction, the therapist will always adhere to a set of rules that emphasize respect for the child’s capacity for self-sufficiency, acceptance of the child as they are, and letting the child take the initiative.
With a therapist and child developing a trusting relationship, the youngster is comfortable exploring and expressing any underlying difficulties. The therapist’s job is to reflect on what we observe and experience with the child, not to judge or over-interpret. A child’s sense of trust and safety is crucial because it fosters and supports their capacity to discover who they are and effect change. The child’s internal process of healing or problem-solving is more significant than the therapist’s interpretation of the play. Children can better comprehend who they are and the world around them via play and therapy, which can help them deal with conflicting emotions.
Feel free to seek consultation from the best Psychologist near me at TalktoAngel regarding the Play therapy
