christian play therapy
WE’RE HERE FOR KIDS
THERAPY FOR CHILDREN
Children of all ages and stages of development can benefit from speaking with a counselor. Sometimes the problem may seem “simple” to an adult, but it may be deeply troubling to your child–social issues at school or difficulty getting along with friends, for example. Other times kids need help managing their emotions or expressing their thoughts and feelings, or have even experienced a traumatic experience that they need help processing through and healing from. Often, we as parents need someone to help guide us through how to best interact with our child during these tumultuous times. After all, kids don’t come with instruction manuals.
Here at Cornerstone, we are blessed with skilled counselors who have a wide range of education and experience and offer a variety of counseling techniques and specialties that meet kids at the age and stage of life they’re in.
what is play therapy?
Sometimes it is hard to find words to express trauma or pain, but play therapy allows the child to use toys to express themselves.
Check out these statements from the Association for Play Therapy (APT):
“Therapists strategically utilize play therapy to help children express what is troubling them when they do not have the verbal language to express their thoughts and feelings” (Gil, 1991). “In play therapy, toys are like the child’s words and play is the child’s language”
“Initially developed in the turn of the 20th century, today play therapy refers to a large number of treatment methods, all applying the therapeutic benefits of play. Play therapy differs from regular play in that the therapist helps children to address and resolve their own problems. Play therapy builds on the natural way that children learn about themselves and their relationships in the world around them”
Through play therapy, children learn to communicate with others, express feelings, modify behavior, develop problem-solving skills, and learn a variety of ways of relating to others. Play provides a safe psychological distance from their problems and allows the expression of thoughts and feelings appropriate to their development.
The play therapist sets limits to keep themselves and the child safe and to move toward the healthy expression of emotion.
What Are the Benefits of play therapy?
The APT has found that there are an overwhelming amount of benefits to engaging children in play therapy. Play therapy is a great method of Christian counseling for kids as it helps children to:
- Become more responsible for behaviors and develop more successful strategies.
- Develop new and creative solutions to problems.
- Develop respect and acceptance of self and others.
- Learn to experience and express emotion.
- Cultivate empathy and respect for thoughts and feelings of others.
- Learn new social skills and relational skills with family.
- Develop self-efficacy and thus a better assuredness about their abilities.
Who Is Play therapy For and How Does It Help?
Research suggests play therapy is an effective mental health approach regardless of age, gender, or the nature of the problem, and works best when a parent, family member, or caretaker is actively involved in the treatment process.
The APT states that play therapy is a good technique in the following situations:
- Behavioral problems, such as anger management, grief and loss, divorce and abandonment, and crisis and trauma.
- Behavioral disorders, such as anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD), autism or pervasive developmental, academic and social developmental, physical and learning disabilities, and conduct disorders.
What is expected of me, as a parent or caregiver?
Depending on the age of your child, you may be very involved in your child’s therapeutic treatment, or simply receive more general updates from your child’s therapist regarding their work together. Typically the older the child, the more beneficial it can be for therapy to be a “safe space” where your child can be honest about processing thoughts, emotions and feelings apart from a parent or caregiver. Please keep in mind that certain laws apply to children of certain ages in the state of CO, which may also impact how much we can share, although we strive to partner with you to the best of our ability.
Please note: if therapy is being requested for a child and there is a parenting plan, custody agreement, or any other type of court documentation in place regarding the care or placement of the child (such as foster care), we are required to request copies of this documentation and in most cases, attempt to collect signatures from the biological parents or legal guardian that has medical decision making rights, before the child can begin therapy with us.
Meet Our Play Therapy Specialists
These counselors have completed the highest training possible in order to become Brainspotting Certified Practitioners. Along with being highly trained, they’re also incredibly easy to talk to! These therapists are committed to providing the safest place for you to process whatever brings you to therapy. Check out their bios below, and when you’re ready contact us to connect with a Christian Brainspotting Certified Therapist!
References derived from The Association for Play Therapy website, check it out for more information!
