More than Talking:
A Look at Play Therapy
What comes to mind when you hear the word therapy? If you picture sitting in a chair and talking for an hour, you are not alone. Working with children, however, means the team at YESS must be a little more creative.
We utilize play therapy with shelter youth (some as young as a few years old) as well as kids who visit YESS for counseling services. Alli, one of our newest Hope Hall Counselors, shared more about play therapy and how it helps children of all ages.
What is play therapy?
Play therapy lets children express what is troubling them when they might not have the words to share their thoughts and feelings. Toys are the child’s words and play is the child’s language.
Who benefits from play therapy?
While it's used more with younger children, anyone can benefit from play therapy. It can help with anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, trauma, family conflict, anger management, and other challenges.
How does play therapy help kids?
Children learn to communicate with others and express their feelings through play. It also allows children to learn new behaviors and develop problem-solving skills. This therapy method can increase self-esteem and help kids identify their strengths.
