What is Play Therapy?

Home » Treatment Therapies » Play Therapy » Page 9

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

Isabelle Gauthier

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice with over 8 years of experience providing support and assistance to children, teens, adults, couples, and families struggling with depression, anxiety, grief/loss, trauma, marital problems, truancy issues, and parent-child relationships. Clients are drawn to my active, thoughtful participation in therapy, and the way I both...
I believe the pathway to healing looks a little different for each of us even though the human experience is similar in many ways. While we are all connected, we are also uniquely individual with a “fingerprint” of experiences, thoughts, and beliefs. Sometimes the most difficult challenges we face have a profound impact on the way we view the world, ourselves and how we approach life and...

Melissa Geiger

San Diego

California

I am a licensed marriage and family therapist who enjoys working with children, teens, families, and adult individuals. Life is hard, and we all experience stressors that cause us to fall out of sync with one another or ourselves. My goal is to help you, your child, or your family feel better equipped and empowered to cope with those stressors. I also provide clinical supervision for associates...

Melynda Shavonne Green

Detroit

Michigan

Melynda Shavonne Green is a Therapist based in Michigan USA. My areas of speciality include ADD and ADHD, Behavioral Issues, Bipolar Disorder, Coping Skills, Divorce, Parenting, Racial Identity, Relationship Issues, School Issues, Self Esteem. This profile is currently unclaimed; please validate the details are current when communicating with the mental health professional.
We warmly welcome you to our psychological private practice located in Westlake! We appreciate how difficult it is to take the first step in this journey. Our mission is to provide a safe space that is warm and inviting, where healing can occur. Some of our providers offer evening, weekend and telemental (online video platform) appointments. We do our best to schedule initial appointments as so...

Chih-Hsien Lin

Chicago

Illinois

( English | 中文 ) Suffering is often the result of less than nurturing relationships and experiences. Fear can become imprisoned in the body. Family and culture can dictate how safe it is, or not safe, to express and be yourself. My own immigrant experience from Taiwan allows me deeper empathy with people navigating challenging life transitions and relating to different cultures, and even new...

Tiffany Ruelaz

Tucson

Arizona

I completed my PhD in Community Psychology and have my Master's degree in Couple's and Family Therapy. I have worked with clients of all ages and have effectively helped clients find relief from issues such as depression, sexual issues, anxiety, PTSD and communication difficulties. As a relational therapist, I work with couples of all types, including those with alternative relationship practic...

Sharon Middleton McGinnis

Birmingham

Alabama

Everyone has felt the pain of betrayal, guilt, shame, rejection, and discouragement. Life and family interactions present challenges. You and your family are unique; but the issues and challenges you face are shared by others. We're human. We need to feel loved and supported. We need to enjoy life! But sometimes, life gets in the way. I am here to help you and your family successfully manage an...

Natalia Aniela Blanchfield

Boulder

Colorado

I specialize in family therapy, including individual child sessions, parenting sessions, and whole-family sessions. While children's behavior or mood can often be the motivating factor that gets families in the door, I find that family systems are deeply interconnected and most clients can benefit from a more holistic approach than just child therapy alone. I find the most satisfaction in train...
**CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS** I believe healing occurs within and through trusting relationship(s). As a clinician with an education background in social work and psychology, my goal is to help individuals, parents, and families process barriers, organize emotional chaos, and develop communication, relational, and coping skills to live a functional, whole, and happy life. I have...

Jaimi S Martin

San Diego

California

Life brings challenges that leave us feeling overwhelmed, lost, and a little stressed. We all can use support and guidance during these rough patches in our life. I get that. In my practice, I offer another way of looking at these obstacles, rediscovering your strengths and welcoming your vulnerabilities. My approach to healing is warm, and compassionate. Using modalities like humanistic and EM...
Not currently accepting new clients. We often think of childhood as a time of simplicity, joy, curiosity, and play. Yet for many, it is a time of stress, trauma, anxiety, and/or anger. Impulsivity, attention difficulties, learning delays, anxiety, and aggression often impede success at school, disrupt family relationships, and hinder friendships. My goal, as a play therapist, is to assist your...
Therapy is a unique experience aimed at helping clients understand their emotions as well as learning that our symptoms are telling us something. It is the collaborative relationship between therapist and client that allows each client to explore not only their symptoms but understand ones self, while obtaining valuable tools to deal with emotions, conflict, and interpersonal communication. In ...
I work with children, adolescents, and adults. I admire those seeking positive change and personal growth in their lives. It is a privilege to provide support and guidance to people working to better themselves and to connect to others in such a meaningful way. Counseling is a collaborative process in which a strong therapeutic relationship is vital to successful client outcomes. I am strengths...
Life can be hard. Unfortunately, despite our best planning efforts, life rarely goes how we want it. That can often leave us feeling discouraged, anxious, depressed, overwhelmed, frustrated and many other emotions. I am passionate about helping others get through some of the hardest and some of the best seasons of their life. I know that it can be hard and scary to give counseling a try or it...