Play Therapy Letter to Parents

What is Play Therapy?

Play therapy fundamentally recognizes that play is a symbolic language natural to children through which they “speak”.  “For children, toys are their words and play is their language” (Landreth 2002).  This is your child’s opportunity to communicate using the language they are most comfortable with; play.   If you were to come into my office for a therapy session, and I asked that you communicate to me using the Russian language, it would make for a very difficult, frustrating session.  This is the same for children, developmentally your child does not always have the capability of using words to communicate verbally, their sadness, loss, successes, and failures.  Play therapy facilitates younger children (developmentally 3-15 years) to communicate consciously and unconsciously through play themes, things that may be troubling them or feelings they may otherwise have difficulty expressing through words.  It is conducted within the context of a playroom that maintains a closed, safe space and with an experienced counselor who uses particular skills that enable the child to express her or his inner life and experiences.  Play is an important part of childhood development. Through play children learn about shapes, colors, cause and effect, and themselves. Play therapy helps the child learn social and emotional skills that assist them in regulating feelings, emotions, and situations. It is a way of communicating a range of emotions including joy, fear, sorrow, and anxiety.  Child-directed, imaginative, and creative play therapy, allows children to explore their world and express their innermost thoughts and feelings, hopes and fears, likes and dislikes. Through play therapy, the child makes decisions without penalty or fear of failure. Play therapy also allows children to gain control of their thoughts, feelings, actions, and helps them achieve self-confidence.   When your child enters the play therapy room they are the most important person in the world.