Expressing feelings can be difficult, especially for children who may have limited speech or social skills. That's when play therapy is especially useful. On the outside, it may look like ordinary play, but it helps youngsters bond with their therapist while creating an environment conducive to expressing themselves. At Abella Psychotherapy & Consulting in Olathe, KS, Our team of expert providers offer play therapy as one of the most commonly used therapies to help children.
Why Play Therapy Works
Opening up to a stranger isn't easy for every child, but play is a good way to explore feelings and practice new behaviors. Without being pressured, a kid may also slowly start to feel comfortable with and trust the therapist.
Some of the benefits of play therapy include:
- Building emotional coping strategies
- Establishing problem-solving skills
- Developing empathy
- Decreasing anxiety
- Learning how to express feelings openly
Play therapy is beneficial to children who are non-verbal, can't articulate well, have limited vocabulary, or are nervous about opening up. It's also possible that the child isn't expressing themselves because they don't have a trusted adult to communicate with or have an adult who is misunderstanding them or missing their cues.
Keep in mind that, in general, play is the way children develop skills and learn about the world around them.
What to Expect During Play Therapy
Depending on the approach taken, your child will have a choice of various toys, games, and activities, or will be guided on the play to participate in.
In some cases, the therapist comes down to their level to play and becomes more relatable to them. As the kid's comfort level grows, so does their ability to share their feelings. Sometimes, however, the therapist will merely watch from the sidelines and pay careful attention to how the child chooses to play. And as therapy sessions continue, the therapist will look to see how the play is evolving.
Other members of the family may be asked to join in on the sessions as time goes on, which can encourage healing while strengthening the family unit.
Consult with a Professional Provider of Play Therapy
The staff at Abella Psychotherapy & Consulting, serving Olathe, Lenexa, and the neighboring KS communities, offer play therapy to help children with behavioral and emotional challenges express themselves and gain new skills.
Call 913-359-3880 today to schedule an appointment.