Play Therapy is an evidence-based therapy model that has been proven effective in treating a variety of behavioral and mental health concerns in children, adolescents, and even adults! Play Therapy uses strategically chosen toys and a safe environment to allow children to explore, express, and better understand themselves and their world. Registered Play Therapists are thoroughly trained to facilitate, interpret, and join in children’s play to assist them in processing their unique experiences and needs.

Through a developmental lens, Play Therapy is effective for children in ways that traditional talk therapy is less successful. Children’s brains have not yet developed the full cognitive functions that would allow them to process through verbal communication. If you have ever tried to talk logically with a child, you know this struggle. Play is the language of children, and toys are their tools. Play utilizes parts of the brain that are most active in children, so it is a natural means of communication. Additionally, trauma has been shown to be stored in those same parts, which means it is an effective method of accessing and processing traumatic memories, for individuals of all ages. In addition, Play Therapy has been proven effective for a large variety of behavioral and/or emotional concerns. The therapeutic powers of play include skill-building in the areas of fostering emotional wellness, enhancing social relationships, increasing personal strengths, and facilitating communication.

Anyone can benefit from Play Therapy! However, if you are seeking Play Therapy, there is likely an emotional and/or behavioral concern. Play Therapy research has been proven to be effective in treating a large variety of concerns. Some of the most common reasons parents seek Play Therapy include:

• Internalized behavioral concerns (anxiety, depression, withdrawal, isolation)

• Externalized behavioral concerns (aggression, disruptive behavior, impulse control)

• Attachment concerns (separation anxiety, parent/child relationship issues)

• Trauma, grief, life stressors

• Loss and bereavement

• Medical conditions

• Academic concerns

• Self-esteem

• Social skills

While any licensed mental health professional can incorporate elements of play into their work with children, Play Therapy as an evidence-based model is so much more than that, and making sure your provider is thoroughly trained is important to maintain fidelity to the therapeutic process. Registered Play Therapists (RPT’s) have completed a minimum of a 2-year educational program with 150 hours of instruction, 350 supervised contact hours, and 35 hours of supervision. All on top of holding a mater’s degree and and being fully licensed to independently practice therapy. This is vastly more specialized than seeing a therapist that has only taken a few brief trainings on play therapy. Choosing a RPT as your Play Therapy provider ensures you have a thoroughly trained specialist on the case!

Specializing in Play Therapy means we mostly work with children, but working with adults on other issues is a valued part of my work as well! I also seen teens and adults, and address topics such as life stressors, anxiety, trauma, relationships issues, and self-esteem.