Why Play?
Let's talk to Andrew.
Association for Play Therapy. (2016). Introducing Andrew. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reJpo-GaopM&t=2s.
What is Play Therapy?
Here at AzCPT, we utilize different play therapy approaches. The Association for Play Therapy gives a brief overview of what play therapy is:
"Play Therapy is defined by APT as 'the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained Play Therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development.'" (https://www.a4pt.org/)
For more information, click here.
Practitioners at AzCPT incorporate Theraplay, Gestalt Play Therapy, and sand tray into their work of healing for their clients. Click the links below for more information.
Theraplay
Gestalt Play Therapy
Sand Tray
Misuse of the Term
"What play therapy is NOT:
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Not a place for children to just have fun. For children in play therapy, the process of exploring, experiencing, and working on what needs to be worked could be overwhelming and challenging.
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Not trendy, gimmick-like, unestablished approaches, models, or protocols with play as a means to an end and not a key ingredient.
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Not any therapy utilizing toys is play therapy. The intervention has to meet the definition of play therapy. Play therapy is an intentional and developmentally appropriate way of working with children that requires specialized training and supervision.
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Not a modality that can be utilized by anyone who does not have proper training that meets the requirements and standards of APT.
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Not random interventions that are labeled under the umbrella of play therapy. Instead, it is the intentional use of toys and theory to help a child heal, with a therapeutic relationship as the foundation.
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Not a way to get children to talk. Talking may and often does occur through the natural progression of play therapy, yet it is not the most important objective."
How will therapy help?
What do you do in therapy? How will it help my family?
This is a common question that is often asked during our time together, especially regarding the use of play therapy. It is an important & necessary question for parents & caregivers to ask! Different therapists have different ways of working with children. They comprehend kids and their reason for treatment in a plethora of ways, which leads to them varying greatly in how & what they do as a therapist.
Therapists don’t “fix” kids.
WE- caregiver & clinician- find ways to support our children in making sense of their experiences in meaningful ways. In this work, we explore & experiment through play to understand & support the child’s process.
WE- caregiver & clinician- look for support in the environment to scaffold the child in their development of self-regulation in ways that are appropriate for their age & skill level.
When WE- caregiver & clinician- provide the needed supports around them and when children are able to more fully experience their world, the outward manifestations of the child’s internal struggles (often referred to as “bad behavior…symptoms…problems…”) are no longer needed. The child’s genuine thoughts, feelings, & needs are expressed & met with care, love, and support.
