Play Therapy in Massachusetts
Start Working with a Play Therapist in Eastern Massachusetts and Greater Boston
“Play therapy gives children the rare opportunity to be in control over their environment, and express their emotions in the way they know how.”
-Deena Traum, Licensed Psychologist, PsyD
Play therapy is to children what talk therapy is to adults. While children may not be able to articulate their concerns or process their emotions with words, they can through playtime.
Play is children’s natural medium of expression and it is utilized as a therapeutic method to help children relieve stress, stimulate creativity, enhance exploration, emotional regulation, problem solving, and self-esteem.
If your child is struggling with problem behaviors in school, attention-deficit hyperactivity (ADHD/ADD), developmental disabilities, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, anger management issues, among many other circumstances, our trained play therapists are here to help.
At Handel Behavioral Health, our trained therapists will safely and supportively help children learn how to communicate their emotions, modify their behaviors, develop problem-solving skills, and learn how to connect with others.
To start working with one of our play therapists online in Massachusetts or in-person from our offices in Amherst, West Springfield, Franklin, Natick, or Wilbraham, contact us today at (413) 343-4357.
To learn more about play therapy at Handel Behavioral Health, please read on.
What is play therapy?
Play based therapy is an evidence-based type of therapy primarily used for children, ages 3-12.
A trained play therapist uses playtime to observe and gain insights into children’s problems; to help children explore and express their feelings, and to encourage children to develop new tools to modify their behaviors and manage their emotions.
What Does Play Therapy Involve?
Play therapy sessions typically occur once a week. Sessions will differ depending on the therapist and particular needs of the child. A play therapist may use an unstructured approach, allowing the child to play as they choose. Or, a play therapist may be more directive and structured in their approach.
Initially, the therapist may want to observe the child at play. They may also want to interview the child and parents or caregivers separately.
Play therapists will pay attention to how the child handles being separated from their parent(s), how they play alone, and how they react when the parent(s) returns.
Therapists will observe how the child interacts with different types of toys or tools during play sessions, and how their behavior changes over several sessions. Children may use play to express fears and anxieties, or they may use play to comfort themselves from distressing emotions.
Children might choose specific activities to engage in, or the therapist might offer the child an imaginative storyline to act out: creating a scene in the sand box, telling stories, or using stuffed animals to create a family dynamic. The therapist might assign familial roles to the toys to gain insight into the child’s family life.
The therapist might ask the child what’s happening during playtime, and ask the child questions about conflicts that arise and how they might resolve them. The child’ s answers, as well as the scene they’ll act out, can provide valuable insight into the internal issues troubling the child. For example, a child might repeatedly create a “bad guy” scenario with their toys: indicating that a child might struggle with trauma or violence from their past.
Through play, the child builds more trust with the therapist and becomes more willing to share their feelings. Children are never forced to open up, but rather encouraged to share when they feel ready and with their own method of communication.
What Mental Health Challenges and Life Situations Can Play Therapy Help With?
Therapeutic play can be beneficial for children struggling with:
- Anger management
- Grief and loss
- Divorce, family dissolution, abandonment
- PTSD
- Trauma
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Developmental disabilities and learning disabilities
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Academic and social problems
- Eating disorders
- Domestic abuse, violence, or neglect
- Facing medical procedures, chronic illness, or palliative care
What are the Benefits of Play Therapy?
“Play therapy offers children a safe space to explore what it feels like to be in control. There are few opportunities for children to be in control of their environment and play therapy allows children to discover their own voice within the room.”
-Deena Traum, Licensed Psychologist, PsyD
Therapeutic play can help children:
- Modify maladaptive behaviors, like aggression and temper tantrums
- Develop healthy coping techniques and creative problem-solving skills
- Develop self-respect and increase self-esteem
- Learn how to empathize with others
- Learn how to cope with anxiety
- Learn how to experience and express thoughts and feeling
- Learn how to manage symptoms of ADHD
- Develop stronger social skills
- Form stronger familial relationships
Start Working with a Trained Play Therapist in Massachusetts Today:
If you’re concerned with your child’s behavior or emotional well-being, our mental health professionals are here to help your child develop the emotional, social, and cognitive skills they need to live a healthy and happy life!
To start working with one of our play therapists online in Massachusetts or in-person from our offices in Amherst, West Springfield, Franklin, Natick, or Wilbraham, contact us today at (413) 343-4357.
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