The Play in Therapy
“Wow!” That is usually the response I get when a child walks
into my office for the first time. I work with children and it is very obvious
from the way my office looks. There are toys, games, stuffed animals on the
couch, a big wooden doll house, and a car rug on the floor. There are bright
colored pictures on my walls of things that kids like, cars, animals,
photographs, and even Mickey Mouse.
Kids come in and they want to play. Well of course they see
the toys and think that they are here to play. Well, they are, but they are
also here to get help. The toys and games in my office are tools to help
children talk to me. I let children play while we talk. This helps them to
relax. They also are able to “act out” what is going on.
Kids can come in and play with the puppets and may use the
puppet to talk about feelings or something that is bothering them. It is safe
to talk to a puppet, adults, not always. A child may take the dolls and act out
what is happening in their family.
When I work with clients who are six and younger, we play
with puzzles and learning games because it keeps their hands busy so we can
talk. I can also assess if they are at a normal developmental level. I have
activities which my younger clients may do in school and they are familiar with
them and so therefore feel more comfortable.
Some may see what I do as playing games with kids, and they
are right, to a point. I play games in a therapy setting to talk about
feelings, grief, anger, and other childhood issues. In playing these games kids
relax and they can talk more freely with me about how they are feeling.
Some of these games I create myself, and some I find
elsewhere. I do my research to find activities that will be effective and
helpful for my clients. I make sure they are age appropriate and that it
applies to them.
Some may just see the stuffed animals on my couch as a cute
decoration, but they have a purpose. They comfort hurting kids. When you were
crying as a child you had a “stuffy” that you cuddled with. This is the same
idea. I have had children sit on the couch crying and hold a stuffed animal for
comfort. This helps them process their emotions.
I have a snack bucket in my office with healthy snacks for
kids. Why do I do this? Well, it is hard to talk to a hungry kid. Many of my
kids come straight from school and they are hungry. So, they get a snack and we
talk. It also helps busy parents who are trying to get their children to
counseling straight from school. They know I have snacks in my office, healthy
snacks!
Why is play so important in counseling a child? Well,
children communicate and learn through play. They use their imagination to talk
about feelings. Children developmentally are very concrete thinkers. If they
can use toys and games to communicate some very tough emotions then this is a
win in my book! If you watch children play they act out what they know. This is
why playing “house” is such a common thing.
Another thing I do with my clients depending on their age is
to read them books. We read books on things like death, divorce, feelings,
friendship, my library is full of these types of books. Why do I read with my
young clients? Well, first it is a bonding thing. Most kids like to be read to.
And second, they can identify with the story. They can see the characters in
the books struggle with things like anger, fear, and sadness just like they do.
They are not alone. Many times, kids feel like they are the only ones who feel
anger, and sadness. Reading these books helps to make their feelings “normal.”
If it ever comes a time when a child you love needs a
therapist make sure they understand children. Many therapists say they work
with kids, but if you look at their office or talk to them it is obvious they
don’t. Your child deserves a place where they can be a kid and talk about the
big stuff they are dealing with. Do your research and see who your child
connects with. You would make sure they have the proper medical care so make
sure they have the right mental health care too.
