The Play in Therapy

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.