Psychotherapy is a treatment used in the mental health needs of adults and children. In most cases, it is a practice acknowledged and accepted by experts in the field. Whereas, play therapy is considered a suitable and effective intervention when dealing with brain development in children.
Play oriented therapies generally involve children aged three to eleven. The primary focus of a therapist in this area is to provide a safe and comfortable space where the child can undergo a self-guided healing process. Since most children communicate best at playtime, this period often becomes an important aspect of the therapeutic process.
Playtime can also assist children in developing mastery with regards to identifying and bringing innate gifts to the service, which often leads to a stronger sense of self-worth and pride. In addition, play dates and long periods of individual play can assist children explore, discover and become more comfortable in different environments.
It has also been shown that playing can contribute to the development and advancement of critical thought. Whereas, it also allows children to release strong emotions and sentiments which often leads to a feeling of relief. In fact, children will often play out experiences which would be undesirable in real life.
Now considered a valid form of psychotherapeutic counseling, the therapy can assist adults and children in overcoming psychological challenges. When it comes to children, the goal is to help children become more comfortable with overcoming trauma, emotional health, growth, development and social interaction. For, the more a child learns how to interact with other children and adults, the more likely the child will behave and interact appropriately later in life.
As part of the process, therapists are now using this type of therapy to diagnose and treat a number of mental health issues. To do so, a therapist will most often observe a child playing with different types of toys and ask questions if the behavior seems outside normally accepted behavior. In most cases, this therapeutic playtime along with how the child answers any questions will be enough for a therapist to identify the cause of behavioral problems or emotional issues.
According to several sources, children will often engage in playing to overcome anxiety and emotional blockages. In doing so, this type of therapy becomes a self-help mechanism, especially when children are allowed unstructured play for long periods at a time. At the same time, there can be a need for a parent or therapist to interact and take control of a situation, especially when a child shows signs of distress.
A good example of this type of conversion from non-directed to directed playtime would be when a therapist uses a type of form of therapy to change troubling behavior. In most cases, therapists using this approach are hopeful that the desensitization will take place and lead to positive treatment and outcomes. Whereas, there are also times when the approach can backfire and a therapist must seek out other methods in order to eliminate negative behaviors.
Playing has been recognized as a beneficial aspect of life since the time of Plato from 429 to 347 B. C. For, the great philosopher observed a number of individuals at play and determined that people could learn more about one another in sixty minutes of playtime than in an hour of conversation. As such, it appears playtime, whether or not associated with therapy, can be beneficial to people of all ages.
Play oriented therapies generally involve children aged three to eleven. The primary focus of a therapist in this area is to provide a safe and comfortable space where the child can undergo a self-guided healing process. Since most children communicate best at playtime, this period often becomes an important aspect of the therapeutic process.
Playtime can also assist children in developing mastery with regards to identifying and bringing innate gifts to the service, which often leads to a stronger sense of self-worth and pride. In addition, play dates and long periods of individual play can assist children explore, discover and become more comfortable in different environments.
It has also been shown that playing can contribute to the development and advancement of critical thought. Whereas, it also allows children to release strong emotions and sentiments which often leads to a feeling of relief. In fact, children will often play out experiences which would be undesirable in real life.
Now considered a valid form of psychotherapeutic counseling, the therapy can assist adults and children in overcoming psychological challenges. When it comes to children, the goal is to help children become more comfortable with overcoming trauma, emotional health, growth, development and social interaction. For, the more a child learns how to interact with other children and adults, the more likely the child will behave and interact appropriately later in life.
As part of the process, therapists are now using this type of therapy to diagnose and treat a number of mental health issues. To do so, a therapist will most often observe a child playing with different types of toys and ask questions if the behavior seems outside normally accepted behavior. In most cases, this therapeutic playtime along with how the child answers any questions will be enough for a therapist to identify the cause of behavioral problems or emotional issues.
According to several sources, children will often engage in playing to overcome anxiety and emotional blockages. In doing so, this type of therapy becomes a self-help mechanism, especially when children are allowed unstructured play for long periods at a time. At the same time, there can be a need for a parent or therapist to interact and take control of a situation, especially when a child shows signs of distress.
A good example of this type of conversion from non-directed to directed playtime would be when a therapist uses a type of form of therapy to change troubling behavior. In most cases, therapists using this approach are hopeful that the desensitization will take place and lead to positive treatment and outcomes. Whereas, there are also times when the approach can backfire and a therapist must seek out other methods in order to eliminate negative behaviors.
Playing has been recognized as a beneficial aspect of life since the time of Plato from 429 to 347 B. C. For, the great philosopher observed a number of individuals at play and determined that people could learn more about one another in sixty minutes of playtime than in an hour of conversation. As such, it appears playtime, whether or not associated with therapy, can be beneficial to people of all ages.
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