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Play Therapy

1. What is Play Therapy?


    Play therapy is a form of play that promotes children’s development in all aspects including physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and mental health.


    Play is children’s natural way of expression. Children use Play Therapy as a tool for coping mechanisms. This is comparable to adult counselling and psychotherapy. Play Therapy not only allows children to explore and deal with problems on their capability but also, have a better understanding of self and develop empathy which is important for children’s well-being.

2. Play Activities and Play Therapy?


    Play Activities is common of play for children. This can be supervised by adults in general. While Play therapy is a different level of play that systematically developed from psychology theories and large number of supporting researches. Play Therapy purposes to understand and support children according to individual experiences and difficulties. Play therapy is supervised by Play Therapist who has a background in psychology, child development and is particularly expert in using Play as a Therapy tool. Play Therapist has been trained to understand symbols, patterns of play of children and certified by the Play Therapy organization.

3. What does a therapist do?





    Play Therapist respects children with non-judgemental. Also, providing a safe, care and friendly environment for children to promote freely imagination and creativity play. As well as observe and gain insights into a child’s problems. This help children to express their problem in healthier ways which lead to self-respect and discovering new positive ways about themselves to fulfilling their best potential.

4. The benefits of play therapy


    Through play, children use toys to build their world and play as a language of expression. This provides a fun and relaxed atmosphere to release stress and worries, together with encouraging children to develop their skills. Through play therapy, children learn about self-respect, understand and accept themselves. Also, increasing self-control and developing decision-making skills which lead to healthy well-being.

5. Play Therapy Techniques


    Session typically lasts for 45 minutes and held one time per week. Therapist uses various techniques as “Play Therapy Tool Kit” which involve:
    • Therapeutic stories
    • Pretend Play
    • Puppet Play
    • Sand Tray
    • Arts and Craft
    • Music
    • Dance and Movement
    • Clay
    • Creative visualization

    Children choose forms of Play Therapy by their interests which are:
    1. Sensory Play
    The opportunity of play for children to process information through “Five Senses” e.g. Clay
    2. Expressive Play
    This form of play allows children to express their ‘Self’ e.g. Arts, Pretend Play. With these techniques, children have opportunities to choose toys and ways to play out their thought and feeling which is crucial for the healing process.
    3. Therapeutic Storytelling
    Therapeutic storytelling is written based on children’s interests and background of difficulties. The main character of storytelling projected from themselves. This metaphor helps the children make sense of that world and discover solutions to problems.

6. Who benefits from Play Therapy?


    Play Therapy benefits children who has:
    • Stressed
    • Anxiety
    • Emotion Problem
    • Behaviour Problems
    • Communication Problems
    • Developmental Delay / Global Delay
    • Academic Difficulties
    • ADHD
    • Autism Spectrum
    • Low Confident
    • Social Withdrawn
    • Low Self-esteem
    • Bullied / Bullies
    • Anger
    • Emotional Abuse / Physical Abuse / Sexual Abuse
    • Loss / Bereavement
    • Physical Disabilities
References:

Bratton, S. C., Ray, D., Rhine, T., & Jones, L. (2005). The efficacy of play therapy with children: A meta-analytic review of treatment outcomes. Professional psychology: research and practice, 36(4), 376.
Gil, E. (2012). The healing power of play: Working with abused children. Guilford Press.
Landreth, G. L. (2012). Play therapy: The art of the relationship. Routledge.

Landreth, G., & Bratton, S. (1999). Play therapy. ERIC Clearinghouse on Counseling and Student Services.
Russ, S. W. (2003). Play in child development and psychotherapy: Toward empirically supported practice. Routledge.

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