Therapeutic Play

balance
Work, love and play are the great balance wheels of man's being.
- Orison Swett Marden
How does therapeutic play work?
Therapeutic play is a well established discipline based upon a number of psychological theories. Research, both qualitative and quantitative shows that it is highly effective in many cases. Recent research by PTUK, an organisation affiliated to PTI, suggests that 71% of the children referred to play therapy will show a positive change.
A safe, confidential and caring environment is created which allows the child to play with as few limits as possible but as many as necessary (for physical and emotional safety). This allows healing to occur on many levels following our natural inner trend towards health. Play and creativity operate on impulses from outside our awareness - the unconscious.
The therapist may reflect back to the child observations of what has happened during the session if this is felt to be appropriate. Above all the child is given one on one, focused attention. So often in modern life we never seem to have enough time to spend with our children - just playing, just being there for them. The child is given strategies to cope with difficulties they face in life and which they themselves cannot change. It provides a more positive view of their future life.
Excerpted from Play Therapy.org
Work, love and play are the great balance wheels of man's being.
- Orison Swett Marden
How does therapeutic play work?
Therapeutic play is a well established discipline based upon a number of psychological theories. Research, both qualitative and quantitative shows that it is highly effective in many cases. Recent research by PTUK, an organisation affiliated to PTI, suggests that 71% of the children referred to play therapy will show a positive change.
A safe, confidential and caring environment is created which allows the child to play with as few limits as possible but as many as necessary (for physical and emotional safety). This allows healing to occur on many levels following our natural inner trend towards health. Play and creativity operate on impulses from outside our awareness - the unconscious.
The therapist may reflect back to the child observations of what has happened during the session if this is felt to be appropriate. Above all the child is given one on one, focused attention. So often in modern life we never seem to have enough time to spend with our children - just playing, just being there for them. The child is given strategies to cope with difficulties they face in life and which they themselves cannot change. It provides a more positive view of their future life.
Excerpted from Play Therapy.org