Play Therapy sessions involve working with carefully selected materials that promote open and projective play. These materials may include miniatures, animals figurines, sand, clay, musical instruments, puppets, games and arts and crafts.
Through the context of therapy, the play therapist will create space for the individual to interact with a wide range of materials and activities all dedicated to provide a safe and healthy outlet for the processing a wide range feelings, life transitions, and confusions and complications.
A play therapist has undergone specific training to understand how to facilitate the play and use non-directive (child led) techniques to meet the child where they are. Struggles and difficulties typically emerge naturally in the play. The child or adolescent is encouraged to chose the activity or toy and chose the way they prefer to interact with the chosen medium.
At times, the therapist may provide a space for an activity dedicated to teaching a child or adolescent a specific skill or to process a recent event. Using this type of play can facilitate healing from trauma, develop social skills, foster mindfulness capabilities, teach anger management, improve focus and so on. The therapist will meet with the child and communicate with caregivers to best understand where the child is struggling and make recommendations for the continued support of the child or adolescent’s therapy journey in the home and school environment.