The FOCUS Center Integrated Team Approach For Children 401A South Van Brunt Street
Suite 203
Englewood, NJ 07631 Telephone: 201-894-5800 Fax: 201-894-5990
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Why Play Therapy ?
By Laura Andrucki Izzo
MSW, LCSW, CPT
Play therapy is a conscious and systematic process provided by a licensed mental health professional who has received specialized training and certification. Play therapy provides a variety of benefits to children. As a therapeutic tool it offers children the opportunity to work through emotional issues such as past exposure to trauma, anxiety, grief, depression, or anger. Play therapy also offers children an opportunity to develop cognitive problem solving skills to achieve mastery and competence over difficulties. Mastery, competence and autonomy are foundations for solid “self-esteem”.
Other benefits of play therapy include opportunities to learn emotional as well as physical self-regulation. A good play therapist should always role model and offer children a variety of sensory experiences as well as physical activities and training in relaxation techniques.
We know that play is the primary means through which children learn. During play children practice communication skills, social behaviors, relatedness, expressive abilities and learn coping mechanisms. The play room offers the child a safe haven in which to develop, practice and consolidate new skills. For one child, the play may be an opportunity for catharsis while for another it is a chance to learn how to identify and express feelings appropriately, while for a third it may offer the opportunity to learn flexibility in behavior and thinking.
Because the therapy is fun and interesting, the child is invested and engaged – necessary requirements for a successful outcome. The voluntary nature of the play (the child picks the activity) offers a positive experience of control for the child, another contributing factor for a successful experience of mastery and competence (self-esteem).
There are two approaches to play therapy: structured or guided and non-structured or child-centered. In a structured/guided model the therapist offers several choices of activities to the child in order to achieve the goals of the treatment. The goals of treatment should always be established with input from family, primary care-givers and teachers (as appropriate). In a non-structured/child-centered model the therapist follows the lead of the child, providing unconditional acceptance and support, as the child takes the lead in choosing the activities. In my work, I try to use both approaches depending on the needs of the child, however, I probably lean more toward the structured approach.
As in any therapeutic relationship, success depends on the connections between client and therapist. Be sure that your play therapist exudes warmth, acceptance, respect and a sense of humor. These are the personal qualities that children respond to. And finally, be sure that your play therapist is working with the other members of your “team”: speech therapists, occupational therapists, learning specialists. Good therapy cannot occur without all of the information on the child.
DISCLAIMER: This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be professional advice nor the formation of a consultant/client relationship. Persons accessing this site are encouraged to seek independent counsel for advice regarding their individual issues.
