What is Play Therapy?

Home » Treatment Therapies » Play Therapy » Page 16

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

Shira Spiel

New York

New York

We are all under pressure as we navigate the crises of this time. Whether you or your child are working through conflictual relationships, painful past experiences, work/school stress, or problematic behaviors, our societal context can amplify these difficulties. In understanding how our histories and present circumstances affect us, we cultivate empathy for ourselves and those around us. Thera...

Maria Sobol

San Francisco

California

For over 20 years, my work with individuals, couples, children, and families has been based on the belief that change is possible and most likely to occur when people feel comfortable and safe in relationship, both with themselves and others. My relational, warm, collaborative and accepting approach is strengths-based and fosters connection with each person to promote progress and success in...
Stonebriar Counseling Associates is a diverse group of private mental health therapists who provide counseling services for children, teens, adults, families, and all forms of relationship counseling such as marriage, divorce, couples, and premarital. We offer a comforting, supportive, non-judgmental therapeutic environment to work on difficult issues and mental health symptoms. Our focus is to...
UNFORTUNATELY, I CANNOT ACCEPT NEW CLIENTS AT THIS TIME. Is your family struggling due to stress, conflict or a constant state of overwhelm? Many parents in today’s fast-paced society feel burned out, exhausted and out of balance. When one family member is struggling, the entire family struggles along with them. Seeking support means you are prioritizing your own self-care and your family’s hea...
Karen is a seasoned Licensed Professional Counselor who places value on the individual, their life experience, and their perspective. Having gained a range of expertise within different cultural settings, Karen has acquired the skills to address trauma, loss, changes within the family and the insidious nature of verbal/emotional abuse that often go unrecognized. Karen identifies areas of streng...
I have a passion for working with others to improve their quality of life. I have spent over twenty years working with children of all ages, adolescents and adults, whom have had emotional, behavioral, medical and learning challenges. I have experience providing family and marital counseling. My experience also includes working with individuals whom have dual diagnosis using different forms of...
*Accepting new clients via online counseling. Caravel Counseling (formerly BTS of MN) is a group of licensed clinicians committed to collaborating with you to provide effective and compassionate care for adults, adolescents and children. Whether you are interested in individual therapy, family therapy, psychological testing for your child or parenting support for you, our experienced clinicians...

Juliana Campos

San Francisco

California

Bilingual, Culturally Sensitive, Trauma-informed, Relational Psychotherapy. I believe that engaging in therapy is an act of courage because change is by definition radical. An important goal of therapy is to connect to your authentic/creative self as a way to make meaning in times of suffering. Together we will explore your personal, family, cultural, and political history to understand the way...
( English | 中文 ) 你好!When you are depressed or anxious, you feel like life is passing you by and you are powerless to grab it, not to mention be on top of and enjoy it. My passion is to help people deal with their emotional pain caused by various kinds of issues, including family of origin, interpersonal problems, low self-esteem, loss of loved ones, trauma, life transitions and etc. In gen...

Amber Rae Apostol

Raleigh

North Carolina

You deserve a chance at happiness and peace. Entering the therapeutic relationship takes a great leap of faith. I work with all ages on a variety of concerns but am especially passionate about working with teens and young adults. As the child of a Filipino immigrant who has walked my own personal journey through adversive and transformative experiences, I highly identify with the saying, “Fall...
I enjoy working with all ages-- children and adults. I have experience working with depression, anxiety, Bipolar, trauma, and many other issues. I believe that even the good things can be hard sometimes and that everyone could use somewhere to unpack and process through life’s challenges and changes. I thoroughly enjoy being a part of the journey someone finds themselves on when they commit to...
I always find it exciting to meet a client for the first time. The bravery to reach out and say, “hey, things aren’t going great in my life and I would like some help” is a bold first step in making changes that can improve your overall quality of life. It is a great privilege to be a witness to that. My style is to come alongside you and help you to tap into the strengths you already have and ...
As a Behavioral Specialist, with 15+ years experience, I have an extensive background in working with children, adolescents, and families facing a range of stressors from mild relationship conflict to more intense mental health symptom management. Children and adolescents are provided with a detailed assessment to determine the function of the behavior while parents are provided with positive...
My clients are seeking more in life. Their internal compass has led them to seek counseling services, and I am an honored and humbled passenger on their therapy journey. I have experience being both the client and the therapist. My diverse life experiences make me an invaluable resource in your therapy journey. I approach each client with compassion and respect. I aim to help everyone gain...