Play Therapy
What is Child-Centered Play Therapy?
Child-Centered Play Therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that uses non-directive play as the primary medium for helping children express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. In this type of therapy, the child leads the play, and the therapist follows, providing a safe and supportive environment where the child can freely explore and communicate. This method is based on the understanding that play is a natural form of expression for children and allows them to process their emotions and experiences in a way that is comfortable and makes sense for them. Through play therapy, children build critical skills related to emotional communication, regulation, problem-solving, and social interaction. Here at ARC, we have created intentional indoor and outdoor play spaces that encourage our younger clients to feel welcome, creative, and safe in both non-directive and directive play.
What are the Goals of Play Therapy?
Child-Centered Play Therapy has been shown to be highly beneficial as a short and long-term intervention for a wide range of challenges kids face. Play Therapy is typically used for children ages 3-12, though the method can be useful at every developmental stage. Play therapy supports children to express and process their emotions, develop problem-solving skills and psychological flexibility, improve communication with other kids and adults, and to build healthy relationships. Play therapy can also help kids improve their executive functioning and impulse control and sense of empathy and self-esteem, and can be tailored for unique challenges or behaviors families might encounter. Play therapy, with a trained therapist, is effective for a wide range of challenges kids and families face, such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, trauma, grief and change, and social challenges.
How can parents and families be involved in my child's play therapy treatment?
It can feel scary when our kids are struggling, and it's natural for parents to feel a sense of urgency about their child's treatment. At ARC, we understand these concerns and are here to support both you and your child. Structured check-ins and skill-building sessions between parents and therapists can be an integral part of play therapy, and help parents reinforce our work in the playroom at home and at school. While the playroom is primarily the child's domain, intentional parent-child play sessions with the therapist can be profoundly meaningful and part of short- and long-term growth for your child and family. Open communication between the therapist and the family ensures a collaborative approach, helping to create a consistent and supportive environment for your child, as they are showing up today, and in their development over time.