Therapy for Children
“Toys are used like words by children, and play is their language.” -Dr. Garry Landreth
Kids don’t come with an instruction manual.
Your child is coming home from school drained or mornings are spent fighting them out the door. They’re caught in a cycle of worry and self-doubt. They’re arguing with you, crying, and having trouble sleeping at night. They always seem to see the worst in themselves and you know they’re capable of so much more.
When you ask them what’s wrong or try to help, they can’t tell you what’s going on inside of them.
You’ve read the parenting books and blogs, listened to the podcasts, and nothing is working. It’s exhausting.
You’re tired of feeling caught in the day to day challenge:
Constantly reassuring or soothing your child
Refereeing fights with your child amongst the family members in your household
Seeing your child struggle and not knowing how to help
how i can help
Play therapy can help your child learn to express and regulate their big feelings.
Play therapy is a unique and effective approach used to help children overcome challenges, express their feelings, and develop important life skills. Even though it might seem like just "play," it's actually a structured and thoughtful way for children to communicate and work through their emotions, thoughts, and difficulties.
Instead of using words, children are encouraged to use toys, art materials, and other play tools to express themselves. These play materials act like the child's vocabulary, helping them "talk" about their thoughts and feelings. For example, a child might use dolls to act out a situation that happened at school, or they might use drawings to show how they feel about something.
Through their play, children can work through challenges, understand their emotions, and find solutions to problems. It's a bit like going on an adventure inside their imagination, where they can express things that they might not be able to put into words. The play therapist is like a guide on this adventure, helping the child make sense of their play and offering support along the way.
Play therapy is appropriate for kids of all ages, and can be tailored to each child’s unique personality and therapy goals.
Play Therapy can help…
Children express emotions
Many children struggle to articulate their feelings verbally. Play Therapy offers a safe space for them to express themselves, enhancing emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
Children learn positive skills
Problematic behaviors often stem from underlying emotional struggles. Play Therapy addresses these root causes, teaching children effective management of behavior and emotions, resulting in more harmonious interactions at home and with peers.
Children build self-esteem
Every triumph in play boosts a child's self-esteem. Play Therapy empowers them to conquer challenges, building a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence.
I want you to know:
Change is possible.
Let’s work together to help your child grow
faqs
Common questions about play therapy
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Play therapy has been proven to be most effective with kids ages 3-12, but even preteens and teens can experience therapeutic benefits. Book a consult with Rebecca to see if your child would be a good fit!
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Meta-analytic reviews of over 100 play therapy outcome studies (Bratton, Ray, Rhine, & Jones, 2005; LeBlanc & Ritchie, 2001; Lin & Bratton, 2015; Ray, Armstrong, Balkin, & Jayne, 2015). have found that the over-all treatment effect of play therapy ranges from moderate to high positive effects. Play therapy has proven equally effective across age, gender, and presenting problem.
Simply stated: play therapy works!
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Call or email to schedule a free 15 minute consultation with Rebecca Self today to learn more about play therapy.
Ready to get started?