About Play Therapy

Play is a developmentally appropriate activity for children.  It aids in their
cognitive, social, moral, emotional, and physical development.  It is their
natural means for expressing themselves.  And, most importantly, it is fun!

Play therapy makes use of the understanding of the importance of play with
children.  Children are developmentally unable to express themselves
verbally in the same manner as adults.  Therefore, verbal therapies with
children are often unsuccessful.

Play therapy encompasses a wide range of activities that span from non
directive approaches to directive approaches.  Play therapists often use toys,
art materials, games, sand trays, and storytelling in their work with children.  
Play therapists recognize the importance of metaphor in children's play.  
Children will often convey their thoughts and feelings through metaphors,
rather than direct verbal expression.

One of the most popular forms of play therapy is child centered play therapy,
initially developed by Virginia Axline and based on some of the concepts of
Carl Rogers' client centered therapy.  In child centered play therapy, a
therapist takes a child to a playroom, where the child plays while the therapist
provides unconditional acceptance and empathy and actively attends to the
child's play.  The therapist only sets limits when necessary, allows the child to
lead the play, and does not expect the child to talk.  A play therapist recognizes
the child's capacity to heal herself at her own pace through the process of
playing in a safe, accepting environment.

Play therapy is not limited to use with children.  Many adults can benefit from
expressive interventions and families often enjoy play interventions, which
lead to improved understanding of familial interactions and roles.

For more information about play therapy, refer to the following authors or visit
the websites for the Center for Play Therapy and the Association for Play
Therapy

Virginia Axline       Dibs in Search of Self
                               Play Therapy
Gary Landreth        Play Therapy:  The Art of the Relationship
Eliana Gil                 Play in Family Therapy