SchoolPlay Therapy specializes in working with preschool and elementary-age children who are struggling with big feelings, anxieties, and challenging behaviors.

Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is a therapeutic approach designed to help young children express themselves and process their feelings through play. Since children often communicate their emotions and experiences better through play than through words, CCPT provides a safe and supportive environment for them to explore and express their thoughts and feelings, make sense of them, and feel better.

What to Expect in CCPT

1. Play as a Language:
-Your child will engage in play with various toys and materials.
-The therapist observes and interacts with your child, helping them communicate feelings and experiences through play scenarios.

2. Therapeutic Environment:
-The therapy setting is designed to be safe, welcoming, and child-friendly.
-Children are encouraged to explore at their own pace, which helps them feel secure and open.

3. No Pressure to Talk:
-Unlike traditional talk therapy, your child won’t be pressured to verbalize their feelings.
-Instead, they can express themselves through actions and play, which is more natural for their cognitive developmental level.

4. Building Trust:
-The therapist will build a trusting relationship with your child over time, allowing them to feel comfortable and understood.
-This trust is crucial for effective therapy.

5. Support for Parents:
-You will also receive guidance and support from the therapist on how to understand your child's behavior and emotions.
-The therapist may provide insights on how to reinforce what your child learns in therapy at home.

6. Focus on Emotional Growth:
-The aim is to help your child develop emotional regulation and problem-solving abilities.
-Through play, they will work through big, challenging feelings and learn how to express their feelings more constructively.

What You Can Do as a Parent

Stay Involved: Attend parent sessions when scheduled (usually every 4-6 weeks) and communicate openly with the therapist about any concerns or observations about your child.

Encourage Play at Home: Create opportunities for your child to play freely at home, which can reinforce what they learn in therapy.

Be Patient: Understand that progress may take time and that every child develops at their own pace. Sessions are held weekly. Research suggests that it takes an average of 20-30 play therapy sessions to resolve the problems of the typical child referred for treatment. Of course, some children may improve much faster while more serious or ongoing problems may take longer to resolve. We prefer to see children for the entire school year.

Evidence-Base

The Association for Play Therapy Parent’s Corner provides some wonderful resources for parents: https://www.a4pt.org/page/ParentsCornerHomePag

You can find more research evidence about how play therapy helps children here: https://www.a4pt.org/page/SocialEmotionalBehav

Research has shown that play therapy helps children with most concerns, including: anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, conduct problems, aggression/anger management, trauma-related issues, social issues, and adjusting to divorce or other life changes.

Please ask…

Child-Centered Play Therapy can be a wonderful way for your child to navigate their emotions and develop important skills. By engaging in this therapeutic approach, your child will have the chance to express themselves in a way that feels natural and safe. If you have more specific questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask us.