Understanding Play Therapy and Its Benefits for Children

A major outlet for children to demonstrate their feelings is through the act of playing. Playing can give therapists an understanding of a child’s emotions, worries, and thoughts regardless of if the child can utilize words or not. Play therapy for children was developed as a branch of therapy that seeks to observe how a child plays and solve problems through this outlet. Usually, play therapy is targeted to children aged 3 to 11 who experience difficulties socially, emotionally or behaviorally.

Play therapy may be dismissed as “just play”. However, playing is how children interact with the world and cope with large emotions. Play therapy for children in Jupiter, FL is a legitimate form of therapy, just conducted on a child’s level in the medium of playing. It can act as a window to a child’s inner world and teach them valuable skills and lessons.

As a result, play therapy can be very impactful for children who are experiencing periods of distress or upset in their life, such as parental divorce or the loss of a parent. It can also be used for children with medical conditions such as chronic illnesses. Additionally, play therapy can be helpful for children who have experienced bullying or physical or emotional abuse. Children who are persistently anxious or angry can find play therapy to be a safe way to work out challenges in their lives.

How Play Therapy Helps Children Express Emotions and Build Coping Skills

During play therapy, the child and the therapist play together, prompting the child to act out their feelings with toys. The therapist may ask guiding questions to the child that can help reveal hidden worries or concerns on the child’s mind. As a result, children can learn to express their thoughts and feelings in appropriate manners, understand the feelings of others, and learn how to solve problems they may encounter through roleplaying with toys. Play therapy can have varying levels of structure– some sessions may have few rules, and the therapist then learns about the child through their play style.

In contrast, some sessions may be more directed, where the therapist and child play together. In these types of sessions, the therapist crafts role-playing scenarios that can help the child heal from emotional distress. This requires trust and often necessitates repeated sessions to get to the root cause of the distress. Of course, every child will require different approaches. Regardless, play therapy can help children come to discover more acceptable behaviors and coping mechanisms, as well as ways to reframe their thinking.

Why Choose Premier Counseling Center for Play Therapy for Children in Jupiter, FL?

Our licensed professionals are trained in effective play therapy techniques and child-centered approaches to support emotional growth and healing. We are able to be a partner for your child, a safe and confidential space where we can learn about the root cause of your child’s behavioral, social, or emotional challenges. We are able and willing to help children facing these challenges to learn to interact with the world in more healthy ways.

Premier Counseling Center provides play therapy for children in Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, and nearby areas. Our licensed play therapist helps children learn healthy ways to express emotions and cope with life’s challenges.

Contact us to schedule a meeting at Premier Counseling Center today to learn more about play therapy for children in Jupiter, FL. We are committed to helping you and your family overcome challenges together through the medium of playing.