Play therapy uses toys and creative materials within a therapeutic setting. The therapist provides a safe space and positive regard as the child plays creatively.
Play Therapy
“Play is not a luxury. It is a necessity.”
– Kay Redfield-Jamison
This allows for the unfolding of the child’s inner world on their own terms and at a pace with which they feel comfortable.
As they play, they move towards resolve and a sense of agency in their own circumstances.
Play therapy is particularly effective for very young children and for those who may find verbal communication difficult because of trauma.
Two models of practice, non-directive and directive, are used either separately or in combination.
Non-directive allows the process of play itself and the inner resources of the child to move towards wholeness.
The directive approach uses the input of the therapist to offer guidance and support during the sessions to complement the healing benefits of play.
