Play Therapy

Gary Landreth, an internationally recognized play therapist states that “Toys are like words to children, and play is their language.” Play Therapy is a developmentally appropriate way of building a relationship with a young person by communicating in the language they know best. Studies have shown that Play Therapy can have a lasting impact on a child’s brain development.

Toys and play help children to process experiences and challenges in their world. Play therapy provides a safe and secure space for the child to do that processing. The child works through trauma or difficulties at their own pace without any outside pressure or judgement. They have control over their play and how they choose to express themselves.

As the child works through their feelings, the therapist attaches words and emotions to something that may not have been verbally processed. The experience of trauma may be replayed but it is in a safe environment, so the end result is different. This helps the creation of a new neural network and the overall processing of the challenge.