“Children are wanted and welcome and sometimes we just play.”
Children communicate differently than adults. Often they do not have the words or they have a difficult time expressing themselves verbally. Sometimes thoughts and feelings are too threatening to express directly. Through their play, they release the thoughts and feelings that are causing them distress and behavioral problems.
Play therapy allows children to express their emotions and problems through play. It is through play that they learn to cope with the world around them. Play therapy uses of a variety of activities such as art and painting, dress up, games, doll house play, and sandplay. Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) can also be used with children. Studies show that when EMDR is used with children they appear to process trauma much quicker than adults. EMDR has been proven to be a significant therapeutic approach with most children from varying ages.
Click images to enlarge: