Play Therapy is a method of providing counseling that utilizes play and toys as a way of communicating with and understanding a child.

Children are best helped in an environment that accommodates their needs, is relaxed, playful and can allow them to communicate in the ways that they feel safe and comfortable. Most of the time this is achieved through playing with various toys, artistic/creative expression (using paint, markers, crayons, clay) or sensory expression (using sand or water) to express feelings. Toys and play help children to communicate, express feelings, problem-solve, and heal emotions such as anger, anxiety, sadness, fear, worry, and stress.

Download a play therapy flyer on what to expect @ Family Solutions.

Play Therapy sessions usually last around 50 minutes. Sessions are usually held weekly. Research suggests that it takes an average of twenty play therapy sessions to resolve the problems of the typical child referred for treatment. Some children may improve much faster while more serious or ongoing problems may take longer to resolve.

Play Therapy helps children:

• Become more responsible for behaviors and develop more successful strategies.
• Develop new and creative solutions to problems. Problem-solving skills.
• Develop respect and acceptance of self and others.
• Learn to experience and express emotion.
• Cultivate empathy and respect for thoughts and feelings of others.
• Learn new social skills and relational skills with family.
• Develop a better assuredness or confidence about their abilities.

1. Be consistent and encourage your child to attend sessions regularly.
2. Be open minded to Play Therapy and the methods that are used in the process. If parents are judgmental or critical of Play Therapy, it is very likely that the child will be resistant to engage and little progress will be made. 
3. Do not question the child or inquire about their session or if they had “fun” in session. While they may tell you portions of what they experienced, it is important not to question them or to criticize what they report. It is important for children to not feel graded or evaluated for what they do or do not choose to do in play therapy.
4. Please don’t ask your child to ‘”be good” or check in with their therapist about session content. Your child should feel free to express their feelings in an uncensored way.