What is Play Therapy?
Hello Heart to Heart Family!
Many parents have questions about play therapy and wonder if their child is just playing during the counseling sessions.Moreover, parents wonder how play therapy is different than regular play.
Here is what the Association on Play Therapy noted:
Play Therapy isn’t Just Play
Play Therapy is not the same as regular, everyday play. While spontaneous play is a natural and essential part of the developmental process, Play Therapy is a systematic and therapeutic approach. Play Therapists are licensed mental health professionals with extensive training, supervision, and education in Play Therapy. Play Therapy incorporates a growing number of evidence-based practices and techniques (SAMSHA, 2014), and should only be utilized by specially trained mental health professionals.
Here is a helpful article to start learning more about play therapy.
Quote: “Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul.” - Friedrich Froebel (founder of the concept of kindergarten).
Parents: Take time every day to play with your children -- their development depends on it and your kids will feel loved and valued by you!
Blessings,
Dr. Kathleen
