Play Therapy: An Unique Therapeutic Approach

Introduction:

About ten percent of children worldwide encounter mental health problems at some event in life without even being aware. As a result, the children have difficulty expressing their internal emotions and stress. This sometimes or other, affects their adolescence and their lifestyle. Based on the fact that children love playing and spend the most time playing with toys and crayoning, therapy was advanced to fulfill their needs playfully and alleviate those triggers triggering them known for play therapy.

What Is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy broadly developed and employed for children to treat behavior and mental-related issues. Children, unlike adults, do not find words to express their emotions. Hence, a therapist utilizes playful activities to conquer and treat as the children prefer now and then, which may resemble regular playtime. This makes the children feel at ease and comfortable in the environment at the hands of the therapist. The best part is the child could not betray the treatment as it resembles leisure time.

What Are the Types of Play Therapy?

Play therapy is an umbrella term denoting various forms of therapies taking play as the central theme. Firstly, play therapy comprises two forms.

• Directive Approach: The therapist aids directly through the issue the child is facing. He utilizes the specific toy to treat the condition that the child is concerned about or fears.

• Non-Directive Approach: The therapist employs an indirect or alternate play method to clear the way of any fear and anxiety.

The following are the common types of play therapy.

• Bibliotherapy: The therapist and child together read the books to explore and alleviate the conflicts.

• Filial Therapy: The therapist exploits the parents for play therapy intended to better the bond between parents and children.

• Sand Tray Therapy: The child is laid in a sandbox to draw something representing her emotions. Through this, the therapist will explore the barriers and work on them.

• Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy: It is a combination of talk and plays intervention. The therapist takes the toy to communicate with the child and asks them to return their feelings to the toy.

• Imaginary Play: The therapist offers a doll to dress up and showcase their own ideology. By this, the therapist can read the internal feelings of the child.

How Does Play Therapy Work?

Play therapy consists of play held in sessions designated in a unique way for the children. The length of the session varies from 30 to 50 minutes, depending on the child. However, the therapist recommends around twenty sessions for a child to improve the behavior. As the children do not find a trusted person to share their feelings with, the therapist, through play therapy, provides a comfort zone in receiving their emotions. This play intervention can be accomplished individually, with family, or through groups. Firstly, play therapy has a pleasant play activities-filled environment or room to engage the child more.

What Are the Techniques Employed in Play Therapy?

Play intervention holds various techniques employed in a safe and snug circumstance. Then, the therapist will pick up one of the succeeding techniques as a directive or non-directive approach. He would feel the child’s improvement through one or a combination of techniques sessions.

• Story-telling.

• Role-playing.

• Puppets and action figures.

• Board games.

• Tea party game.

• Card play.

• Hide and seek.

• Art and craft.

• Musical toys.

• Toy phones and toy cars.

• Dollhouse.

• Handcuff play.

• Kitchen toys.

• Animal and bird monuments.

What Are the Conditions That Benefit From Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a cheerful therapy that is helpful not only to children but also adults with cognitive-related conditions. However, the therapy is primarily designed for children between three and twelve. The therapy aims to discuss the emotional and behavioral issues and thus relieve such in the following conditions or illnesses.

• Autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

• Depression.

• Anxiety.

• Grief.

• Dementia.

• Anger issues.

• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

• Eating disorders.

• Chronic illnesses.

• Abuse or neglect.

• Post-traumatic stress disorder.

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

• Other obsessions.

• Learning disabilities.

• Trauma.

• Social problems.

In addition, the therapy has hardly any merits with adults.

• Divorce and social issues.

• Dementia.

• Intellectual disabilities.

• Chronic diseases and palliative care.

• Childhood trauma.

• Substance use disorders.

• Post-traumatic stress disorder.

• Anger concerns.

What Are the Benefits of Play Therapy?

When we see a child having setbacks interfering with daily activities and academic performances due to certain psychological conditions, engaging the child in play therapy not alone but in conjunction with medications and other treatments can be beneficial. Play therapy is highly recommended and has considerable good benefits.

• The therapy helps children who are facing impairment in communication, either as phrases or through gestures. For instance, the child unable to speak would utilize a drawing book to express themself.

• The therapy develops the child in communication and social skills, eliciting a sound relationship.

• The children, after play therapy, understand their own emotions and take charge of them.

• It aids in self-respect and enhances high self-esteem.

• Play therapy diminishes anxiety and distress.

• Children could go with the pleasant and cozy toys they prefer the most.

• After play therapy, the child exhibits concern and respect for others.

• Play therapy offers space and a span to be themselves.

• It promotes gross and fine motor skills.

How Effective Is Play Therapy?

Play therapy never fails to meet effectiveness. Whensoever it is implemented among children, consequently, here includes efficiency with shreds of evidence.

• In 2009, researchers conducted a clinical trial-based study among children with aggressive behaviors. They concluded that the children who underwent play therapy presented a significant change in such behavior compared to those who didn’t.

• In an analysis in 2005, medical researchers proved the effectiveness of play therapy based on the positive aspects.

• According to the Organization of Play Therapy International, about seventy percent of children are more likely to have positive changes after play therapy.

• In 2012, a study verified that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder showed a considerable decrease in their hyperactivity after the therapy.

• In a research conducted in 2015, scientists proved the efficiency of play therapy in behavior, anxiety, and depression compared with several other studies.

• A study in 2017 settled the effectiveness of building a robust parents-children relationship by alleviating the relationship stress.

Conclusion:

Unlike other psychotherapies, play therapy has a unique way of approaching cognitive declines. As the name says, play therapy is a distinct method that uses play and playful activities to address and deal with the psychological concerns of children since it is significantly geared toward the young population. Play therapy is considered a successful therapy possessing more positive elements than negative ones since the children love the theme of the play.