“Play is the child’s symbolic language of self-expression and can reveal (a) what the child has experienced; (b) reactions to what was experienced; (c) feelings about what was experienced; (d) what the child wishes, wants, or needs; and (e) the child’s perception of self.”
― Garry L. Landreth
Children do not always have the verbal capacity to express their thoughts and feelings. Play is a child’s most natural form of communication. Children learn through play and they express their feelings and emotions through play. It only makes sense that a child’s therapeutic environment would provide them the opportunity to “talk” about their problems in their language, the language of play.
The play therapy room has several categories of selected materials that aid the child in their communication. The room has real-life toys, aggressive toys, and creative expression toys. Children utilize the toys as their words to express what may be troubling them. The therapist acts as a facilitator for change through the use of reflective listening, feelings identification, setting limits, returning responsibility, and encouraging growth, mastery, and self-regulation.
Through the child’s play and choice of materials the therapist is able to gain insight about what is going on in the child’s world. This insight provides the therapist with information to better help the child and the family. In play therapy the child is able to confront their difficult feelings and find healthier ways of coping with their problems.
Is your child experiencing any of these?
Power struggles with caregivers
Sadness/depression
Changes in sleep or appetite
Worry/anxiety
Attention deficit and/or hyperactive behaviors
Anger and disruptive behaviors
School suspensions
Social skills impairments
Academic concerns (ie. academic pressure, retention, poor grades etc.)
Autism spectrum disorders
Learning disabilities
Adjustments to major life changes (ie. move, remarriage, new sibling, new school etc.)
Death/grief
Trauma (ie. abuse, death,, accident, medical issues)
Friendship concerns
Sibling conflict
If so, I am here to help your child with:
Managing anger
Becoming responsible for their behaviors
Managing anxiety and stress
Regulating difficult emotions
Thinking creatively and solving problems
Making decisions
Communicating with others
Increasing self acceptance and respect for others
Developing self control and considering consequences
Increasing positive social interactions
Learning positive coping strategies
Incorporating positive self talk
Building trust and mastery
Exhibiting acceptable behaviors
Processing grief
Improving school performance
Information obtained from www.a4pt.org.
About Synergetic Play Therapy™
Mandy is a certified Synergetic Play Therapist (TM). This method employs a nurturing, holistic approach that is Child Directed rather than Therapist Directed. The process allows us to modify the approach on an individual level in order to connect on each child’s specific needs rather than taking a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Since the child controls the direction and speed of therapy, realizing change and achieving goals becomes inevitable.
Synergetic Play Therapy(TM) is based on brain sciences, utilizing its foundations in neurobiology to help children reach a state of regulation in the natural language of children: Play. Synergetic play therapy sees behavior through the lense of an individual’s nervous system. By understanding what is going on in your child’s body, we can better understand the meaning of the behavior and what to do to help your child regulate. Not only will challenging behaviors decrease, but the child’s ability to express wants, needs, and emotions will improve, allowing families to connect with balance and harmony. Parents will be provided with feedback on the sessions and how to support and nurture their child at home. Parents will be engaged in the therapeutic process and will receive regular progress reports.
Additional information about Synergetic Play Therapy: www.synergeticplaytherapy.com