Play Therapy
Play Therapy is an evidence-based approach to therapy that allows kids to process complex feelings and solve problems using their natural medium of expression - play!
We use the therapeutic powers of play to help children better express themselves, work through challenges, and learn effective coping skills. Instead of expecting young kids to process their experiences like us adults, we believe offering board games, art supplies, legos, dolls, and other play-based mediums honors their developmental level and lets kids communicate in a way that is most comfortable for them.
“Play is the language of children and
the toys are their words.”
GARRY LANDRETH
Is Play Therapy a fit for my child?
Play Therapy is especially appropriate for children 3-12 years old.
Research supports the effectiveness of Play Therapy for kids struggling with a variety of mental health-related challenges, including:
Grief & Loss
Trauma
Depression
Self-Esteem
For more information on Play Therapy and resources for parents, check out the Association for Play Therapy’s website and YouTube channel.
Parent Consultation
Working collaboratively with parents and caregivers is a vital aspect of a child’s therapy progress. Through regularly scheduled parent sessions, we aim to help parents better understand their child and their unique needs, while providing ongoing support and feedback.
We ascribe to the Positive Discipline model, which provides parents with tools and strategies to help strengthen the parent-child relationship and maintain long-term behavioral change.
Who practices Play Therapy?
The practice of Play Therapy requires specialized education, training, and experience.
While some therapists incorporate games or coloring into their sessions with kids, they may not have the same depth of knowledge or expertise as a Play Therapist. These therapists can still offer valuable support to children and families; however, those seeking specialized services may benefit from working with a Play Therapist who either holds the Association of Play Therapy’s Registered Play Therapist (RPT) credential or is supervised by one.
Our therapists at TCC have completed child development coursework and professional training specific to Play Therapy and are individually supervised by our Clinical Director, who is a Registered Play Therapist.
