The Benefits Of Play Therapy For Children

By Matthew McDonald


Therapy is one of a number of processes used in treating mental conditions. While adults often seek out a psychologist, psychotherapist or psychiatrist, play therapist and play therapy are often better options for children. For, this type of therapy has now been acknowledged as one of the best options for three to eleven years, especially when dealing with issues related to brain development.

Play oriented therapies generally involve children aged three to eleven. The primary focus of a therapist in this area is to provide a safe and comfortable space where the child can undergo a self-guided healing process. Since most children communicate best at playtime, this period often becomes an important aspect of the therapeutic process.

By participating in this type of therapy, children often learn how to develop mastery when it comes to identifying and developing innate gifts and abilities. As a result, once children begin to use these skills to overcome a number of emotional psychological challenges, most also develop a stronger sense of pride and self-worth.

It has also been shown that playing can contribute to the development and advancement of critical thought. Whereas, it also allows children to release strong emotions and sentiments which often leads to a feeling of relief. In fact, children will often play out experiences which would be undesirable in real life.

Therapy associated with playtime has become a valid form of treatment accepted by a number of mental health organizations. For, it is believed that this form of psychotherapeutic counseling while aimed at children can also benefit adults. As such, there are now therapists whom focus on adults and children whom need assistance in these areas.

Play oriented therapists can also identify the cause of emotional issues and setbacks by watching a child during playtime. In doing so, therapists often observe a child playing with different types of toys to determine any unusual or disturbing behavior. After which, a therapist generally meets with parents to determine which type of treatment would be best moving forward.

According to several sources, children will often engage in playing to overcome anxiety and emotional blockages. In doing so, this type of therapy becomes a self-help mechanism, especially when children are allowed unstructured play for long periods at a time. At the same time, there can be a need for a parent or therapist to interact and take control of a situation, especially when a child shows signs of distress.

In some cases, children using this non-directed method may need to be redirected back to a directed playtime. When this is the case, it is important the therapist use a form of therapy to change or eliminate the troubling behavior which arose during the process. After which, therapists are hopeful other methods will provide better results.

Playing has been recognized as a beneficial aspect of life since the time of Plato from 429 to 347 B. C. For, the great philosopher observed a number of individuals at play and determined that people could learn more about one another in sixty minutes of playtime than in an hour of conversation. As such, it appears playtime, whether or not associated with therapy, can be beneficial to people of all ages.




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