Let’s Play!
Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses play activities to help children express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This type of therapy is often used with children who are struggling with emotional or behavioral issues, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, or difficulties in their relationships with others.
The goal of play therapy is to provide a safe and supportive environment where children can explore their thoughts and emotions and learn new coping strategies to help them manage their difficulties.
In play therapy, the therapist uses various play materials, such as toys, dolls, and games, to help the child express themselves and work through their emotions. The therapist may also use storytelling, role-playing, and other creative activities to engage the child and help them explore different aspects of their life.
The therapist’s role is to observe, listen, and offer support and guidance as the child plays, helping them to gain a better understanding of their feelings and develop new ways of coping.
One of the key benefits of play therapy is that it provides children with a non-threatening and age-appropriate way to express themselves
Children often find it easier to communicate their thoughts and feelings through play than through more traditional forms of therapy, such as talking. Play therapy also allows children to work through their experiences and emotions at their own pace, helping them to feel more in control of the therapeutic process.
Play therapy can be used to bring out issues that might be affecting your child, and have not been identified. For example, children who have experienced a traumatic event may use play therapy to reenact the event and work through their emotions.
Children who are struggling with anxiety may use play therapy to practice coping strategies and learn how to manage their fears. Children with depression may use play therapy to explore their feelings and develop a greater sense of hope and resilience.
In addition to helping children work through emotional and behavioral issues, play therapy can also have a positive impact on their overall well-being.
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How Can Play Therapy Help?
Through play therapy, children can develop their social skills, improve their self-esteem, and build stronger relationships with others. They may also learn to better manage their emotions, develop more effective coping strategies, and become more resilient in the face of life’s challenges.
It’s important to note that play therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Different children may respond better to different types of play therapy, and the therapist will work with the child to find the approach that is best suited to their needs. Play therapy sessions may also be adjusted over time to reflect the child’s changing needs and progress.
Play therapy is a highly effective form of psychotherapy for children, providing them with a safe and supportive environment in which to explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
Whether they are struggling with emotional or behavioral issues, or simply seeking to improve their overall well-being, play therapy can help children to develop greater self-awareness, resilience, and social skills, and build stronger relationships with others.
The counselors at Pathways Counseling Services are trained to assess and understand children’s play. They work with you and your child to provide the best resources and practices for your child’s well being.
Our Play Therapy Counselors
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Yes, we offer a free 15-minute telephone consultation. Please call us at 480-613-8530 to schedule a consultation or complete this contact form.
Our practice is a “Fee-For-Service” practice which means we DO NOT accept insurance. If you have an insurance provider with behavioral health coverage, they may offer “out-of-network” coverage. If you would like to use your “out-of-network” benefits, we will provide you with a superbill (receipt) monthly that you can submit to your insurance company for “out-of-network” reimbursement.
Prior to your first session, you will fill out some general information. We will you a link to complete the form(s) prior to your first session.
During the initial appointment, we will review some of your histories and we will have an opportunity to discuss the reasons you are interested in counseling and the goals you are looking to achieve from counseling.
Together during the first few sessions we will put together a treatment plan with you.
Most patients come in for weekly appointments. As you are feeling better, you can cut back on the frequency of the sessions so you have more time to practice what you are learning.
Initial sessions are 75 minutes ongoing sessions may be 45-75 minutes or longer depending on need.
Patients who work with us report improvements in a few sessions. More difficult issues may take longer. People come to therapy for different reasons but universally people don’t initiate counseling unless they are in some type of emotional pain. Our attitude is to try to make every session count.
We welcome couples, children, adolescents, teens, and individuals of diverse backgrounds, cultures, religious traditions, and lifestyles.
We will be able to work with you using a variety of tools and techniques and specialize in a variety of issues and concerns.
All client-therapist conversations are private and confidential. In those rare exceptions when the safety of a client or other is at risk disclosure of confidential client-therapist information takes place.
