Play therapy: What is it?
“Play is a child’s language and toys are their words” – Garry Landreth
Non-Directive Child Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is a type of play therapy which understands that a child’s behaviour is a symptom of something underlying, and toys are used as the child’s form of communication. Play therapy provides the space for the child to reenact and process traumatic experiences and the role of the therapist is to foster a trusting space for healing and growth. During play therapy a child goes through various stages of play, and themes begin to emerge from the child’s play.
Over the course of therapy, a trusting therapeutic relationship is formed between the child and the therapist. This relationship is crucial to the child’s healing process.
Strong evidence for play therapy has been well documented including its appropriateness in treating symptoms of trauma. Neuroscience further supports play therapy’s role in creating new neural pathways for children and has now coined the term interpersonal neurobiology.
Why do I like nondirective play therapy?
Non-directive CCPT is a gentle approach to connecting with children
Developmentally appropriate: The child is free to express through play rather than language
The therapist acts as a safe and secure attachment for both the child and caregivers throughout the therapy
It targets deeper underlying needs rather than targeting only the behaviour
For further information on play therapy, I suggest visiting the Play Therapy Australia website.
What exactly is play therapy and how is it effective?