What is Play Therapy?

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Play Therapy is an approach to counseling utilized for children. Children learn to understand the world through play. Play Therapy embraces play to facilitate therapeutic interventions. Play can include games, dolls, art activities, sports, make-believe, or any other activity that fits a child developmentally and emotionally.

Play Therapy can be beneficial for children with behavioral issues. Because these children might not have the words to communicate their feelings or might not want to, this allows them a space to express themselves and share their feelings through play.

Play therapists get to know the child’s specific interests and can tailor their counseling space to make it unique for each child. As the counselor observes and interacts with the child, they can understand the emotions that lead to their behaviors. Over time, therapists can encourage children to use play to express feelings instead of expressing them through inappropriate or harmful behaviors.

Play Therapy can also be used for adults to help them connect with their inner creativity and facilitate child-like joy.

Therapists Who Specialize in Using Play Therapy

J.P. Mertens

Colorado Springs

Colorado

As a counselor, I seek to create an environment where people feel safe, heard, valued, and honored. My style is very relational, collaborative, encouraging, and empowering using evidence-based models of therapeutic care. I feel that people can bring their frustrations, anger, fears, sadness, anxiety, ambivalence, and dissatisfaction into the counseling process. Throughout my 25 year career, I h...
I, along with everyone at Center for Assessment and Treatment, hope to help those who are among the most in need, regardless of income, background, or past history. That's why I am a co-founder and Executive Director of a nonprofit mental health agency that makes every attempt to help everyone we can. Personally, I am very direct and honest, which I think that comes out clinically. There is a l...
Hello! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Pennsylvania. I also hold a license in Illinois as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor. I have over 14 years of experience in the mental health field. I am well adverse in working with various populations and skillsets. I have a background in working with children, adolescents, and adults. I specialize in cognitive-behavioral therapy, whic...
Children, teenagers, and adults all want to feel in charge of their own lives; I believe in fostering your personal growth and change despite any obstacles you might encounter. As humans, we strive to feel capable, considered, content, centered, and connected to others. I will help you realize your inherent strengths; such as, encouraging parents to feel competent in their parenting strategies;...
Feelings of worry, high levels of stress and sadness can sometimes be overwhelming. Let me tell you, you are not alone. Many people have a hard time sharing their thoughts and feelings but this can be strengthened with practice. A therapeutic environment is a place of openness, safety, and growth. Therapy is the most important work you will do for yourself and the ones you love. I specialize in...

Tasha Blaine

New York

New York

I exclusively serve individuals and families connected to adoption. I am a therapist with a passion for supporting individuals, families and children as they explore their challenges and move forward toward change. I came to this career after spending many years as a writer and editor. My past work informs and enriches my work with clients today. I believe in the power of narrative and the...
WE OFFER PHONE AND VIDEO SESSIONS. Choosing hope and change can feel overwhelming, and one of my goals is to provide you with the guidance and tools to make those a reality. My clients would describe me as compassionate and always ready to help them tackle a challenge. I specialize in treating trauma, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use and criminal behavior. My work within the...
I am a caring, compassionate Therapist who is dedicated to providing a safe, supportive environment where you can develop the internal strength and resiliency to cope with life’s challenges. My specialties include providing treatment for family relational problems, Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, Self-esteem issues, Stress management, and Adjustment disorders. I utilize a combination of Cognitive...
Hope for Healing provides just that. It is important to start with giving hope when it may be lost, and provide hope as a starting point for the healing process. We believe hope is the catalyst for the healing that will come, and is a must to achieve success. 20 years experience working with people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities. Work with Autism. Bilingual (Spanish). Home Visits ...
With any concern, I work with the client and at times, their family, to develop an individualized plan for treatment. I work with clients facing a variety of mental health concerns including, but not limited to ADHD, ODD, anxiety, OCD, depression, trauma, and behavioral dysregulation. I also specialize in working with individuals/families experiencing serious illness or medical issues. I work w...
Are you struggling to balance your physical and mental health? Are things becoming unmanageable? Is your time limited? Then welcome to WellPsyche! WellPsyche Medical Group provides experts in the field of Adult and Child/Adolescent Psychiatry. Our practice offers the latest in psychiatry including Telemedicine! Now you can visit with your psychiatrist from the privacy and convenience of your ho...
Morgan is a Licensed Master Social Worker who completed her degree with a concentration of direct practice with children, youth and families. Morgan has also obtained a Bachelors degree in Psychology. Morgan specializes in working with children (3+), teens, and families. Morgan specializes in family counseling and parent-child relationship therapy to assist parents with learning how to strength...
Namasté is the founder of Silver lining consulting, a Brainspotting Therapist and at Lawrence's first Accelerated Resolution Therapist (ART). ART uses visualization and rapid eye movement to reprogram the way in which distressful memories are stored in the brain, reducing strong physical and emotional reactions to past experiences. While the premise of Brainspotting is "where you look affects h...

Brian S Mullin

San Diego

California

As a therapist I walk with you as your guide and ally in discovering unhelpful beliefs and finding new paths and possibilities. Change happens from new experiences; my role is to walk with you through insight and discovery. A perspective of mindfulness also influences my work. I am client centered and embrace the idea that we are each the expert of our own experiences of life. I will meet you...
My name is Carolyn Vorhes-Reed. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who has been working in the field of mental health for 18 years. I have worked primarily with children and adolescents in community mental health, both in an office setting and in local school districts, but I also work with adults. Over the course of my career, I have assisted those with a wide variety of struggles, includi...