What is Play Therapy ?
Play Therapy is a form of therapy used to communicate with children and vice versa. It is typically used for children the ages of 3-12. Toys, arts, directive and non-directive play are used to address specific challenges. As a well known play therapist said, “Toys are like the child’s words and play is the child’s language (Landreth, 2002).” Children who struggle with verbal expression benefit strongly from play therapy. They are better able to play out their feelings, develop coping skills, increase problem solving skills, improve social, cognitive and behavioral issues, etc…
What kind of challenges can play therapy address?
- Anger management
- Grief and loss
- Divorce and abandonment
- Crisis and trauma
- anxiety/depression
- ADHD
- Autism/pervasive developmental disorders
- academic and social development
- physical and learning disabilities
- conduct disorders
Play therapy is most effective when parents or caretakers are actively involved in treatment.
What is Synergetic Play Therapy?
Synergetic Play Therapy® is a research-informed model of play therapy combining the therapeutic powers of play with nervous system regulation, interpersonal neurobiology, physics, attachment, mindfulness, and therapist authenticity.
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What is Theraplay?
Theraplay is a dyadic child and family therapy that has been recognized by the Association of Play Therapy as one of seven seminal psychotherapies for children. Developed over 50 years ago, and practiced around the world, Theraplay was developed for any professional working to support healthy child/caregiver attachment. Strong attachment between the child and the important adults in their life has long been believed to be the basis of lifelong good mental health as well as the mainstay of resilience in the face of adversity. Modern brain research and the field of neuroscience have shown that attachment is the way in which children come to understand, trust and thrive in their world.