CHILD PLAY THERAPY
WHAT IS CHILD THERAPY?
Children require therapy that honors their unique developmental level and looks for ways of helping in the “language” of the child – play. A safe relationship must be created between the therapist and client, where the child may freely and naturally express both what pleases and bothers them.
At Defining You, we use play to help our child clients better express themselves and solve their problems
"We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves, or more deeply engrossed in anything, than when we are at play." -Charles Schaefer
The Association for Play Therapists describes play therapy as a way of being with the child that honors their unique developmental level and looks for ways of helping in the “language” of the child – play. Play therapy is not the same as everyday, spontaneous play, but rather a systematic and therapeutic approach.
The video below illustrates how children communicate and how play therapy is an effective mode of therapy for children from age 3 to 12.
THE FIRST SESSION
When working with children, we ask that the parents or guardians come alone to the first session in order to provide information about the background of the child and for parents to have their questions answered. Parents come without children because there can be content during this session that may not be appropriate for your child to hear. During the first session with the child, the therapist will acknowledge that that their parents have previously met with them and have given their approval for the child to attend sessions at Defining You.