Yes, we played. Yes, it was therapy. 

I cringe when my child clients run out to their parents and tell them all about the fun play that we did together in session. I cringe because parents often do not understand why we play and this can lead to varying frustrations. Sometimes, they will begin to question my competence as a clinician. They often ask, “is play even therapy?”. Short answer, absolutely. For the long answer, let me highlight a few points. 

The therapeutic relationship is key to successful therapy. The relationship has to be established on trust and connection. How does that take place with children? It takes place through play. Therapists often have to take weeks or months to build connection and safety with a child. This partially takes place through playful engagement. Mind you, therapists often meet with a child for one hour a week. Therefore, it is important to take time to establish the relationship, because if the relationship is not there you will see minimal progress. Would you listen to someone that you have only known for six hours? Most likely, not. Children even more so. Especially children with adverse backgrounds. 

Play not only allows the therapist to connect more quickly with your child, but it is also a strategic tool. Depending on a child’s needs, play can be used to address a variety of topics. It can be used to practice impulse control, social skills, emotional exploration, build frustration tolerance, etc. While we play, we are intentionally and strategically working towards goals. Play can also be used as a healthy distraction to help a child feel more comfortable to open up and discuss struggles or needs in session. 

There are several counseling theories that are play based and take on an even deeper approach on how it is used in therapy. For example, theraplay or traditional play therapy. Strategic play therapy can be a primary factor in getting your child to their healthiest and happiest selves. 

Theraplay, for example, is an attachment based approach that uses a series of play based activities to address mental health needs. The Theraplay Institute states the following, “Theraplay is a dyadic child and family therapy that has been recognized by the Association of Play Therapy as one of seven seminal psychotherapies for children. Developed over 50 years ago, and practiced around the world, Theraplay was developed for any professional working to support healthy child/caregiver attachment. Strong attachment between the child and the important adults in their life has long been believed to be the basis of lifelong good mental health as well as the mainstay of resilience in the face of adversity. Modern brain research and the field of neuroscience have shown that attachment is the way in which children come to understand, trust and thrive in their world.” 

This four prong approach of structure, challenge, nurture, and engagement addresses a variety of needs. For example, attachment, emotional regulation, impulse control, frustration tolerance, instruction following, self-esteem, etc. Theraplay is an intervention used to assist children who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Reactive attachment disorder, and several other diagnostic needs. The Theraplay Institute outlines several peer reviewed articles and research studies that support the benefits of attachment based interventions for these diagnostic needs. Theraplay uses play based interventions with the attachment relationship as the primary tool and source of healing. 

Theraplay is more about the child’s back brain experience and helping the brain heal from the bottom up. When children are dysregulated, they are in the back part of their brain. This part of the brain is responsible for survival, and focuses on the basic needs of keeping you alive. This makes it challenging for them to access the frontal lobe, which is responsible for reasoning and problem solving. Especially, if your child comes to counseling dysregulated it can be more challenging for their brain to take in and apply new information. Traditional talk therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, may be less effective during this time. Play interventions, like theraplay, are meant to meet your child where they are at. It is meant to help them learn how to feel more calm and safe, even when their brains cannot find the words to describe how they are feeling.

For more information on theraplay, please visit our website here: https://www.thementalwellnesscenter.com/theraplay