Play Therapy

What is play therapy?

Play therapy has grown immensely over the last few decades. According to the Association of Play Therapy, play therapy “is a structured, theoretically based approach to therapy that builds on the normal communicative and learning processes of children”. What does that mean exactly? The child and the child’s therapist play together in a safe space in a way that is intentional and therapeutic. Through the act of playing, the child is expressing themselves and the therapist is gaining insight into how the child views the world around them.

Can my child benefit from play therapy?

The answer is YES! All children can benefit from play therapy. There are several therapists at Cherry Hill Counseling who specialize in working with children using play therapy techniques and interventions. Play therapy effectively helps children gain social, emotional, and behavioral skills.

Possible factors your child may benefit from play therapy include, but are not limited to:

• Family issues
  • Divorce
  • Separation
  • Death of a loved one
• Trauma
  • Abuse
  • Neglect
  • Domestic violence
• Life changes
  • Birth of a sibling
  • Moving
  • New school
• Chronic illness
• Hospitalization

Signs your child may benefit from play therapy include, but are not limited to:

1. Tantrums: Excessive tantrums lasting longer than other children in the same age group. This includes and is not limited to behaviors such as head banging, throwing items, screaming, crying.
2. Aggression: Excessive aggressive behavior such as hitting, kicking, slapping, punching, biting, and throwing objects at others. This includes concerns for your child’s safety and the safety of others around them.
3. Sleep Problems: Problems falling asleep, staying asleep, challenges with bedtime, and having nightmares or night terrors are common issues of children needing additional help.
4. Regression: If your child’s speech, toileting, academic, or social skills decline. This includes your child not speaking after development of language skills, frequent toileting accidents after toilet training development, and experiencing academic and social challenges.
5. Experiencing a traumatic or stressful event: This includes the child witnessing or experiencing any form of abuse, neglect, loss of someone close to them, domestic violence, being involved in an accident, or removal from a caregiver.

Please give us a call today if you are interested or would like more information regarding therapy services for your child. We would love to work with your child by giving them a safe space to express themselves and to foster creativity, exploration, and learning.