Play Therapy

Play Therapy utilizes play, a child's natural medium of expression, to help them express their feelings through toys instead of words. It helps children choose adaptive ways to handle internal and external stresses.

Play Therapy builds on the idea that although children might lack the cognitive skills to express themselves with words, therapy through play gives them the opportunity to communicate as well as express feelings, modify behaviour, problem-solve and learn to relate to others. 

A play therapist provides a safe and understanding environment, where a child is encouraged to play freely. This allows for a child to express themselves through their play sessions. Children are able to re-create in play, the experiences that are a part of their anger, fears, sadness or frustrations that currently influence their behaviours.

Play Therapy also provides a safe, psychological distance from the problem, and allows age-appropriate expression.  Even the most troubling problems can be confronted in play therapy and lasting resolutions can be discovered, rehearsed, mastered and adapted into lifelong strategies.