Child-Centered Play Therapy

Children have so much to tell us if we have the patience and skills to listen. 

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Similar to how talk therapy provides adults the space to process, experience being heard and understood, and learn ​skills to overcome difficulties, play therapy provides a developmentally responsive place for children ages 3-12. 

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Play is a child's language and toys are their words, so the play room is carefully arranged with toys and activities for children to express their inner world while the counselor provides therapeutic responses with a tone of empathy and compassion. 

 

Child-centered play therapy is evidenced-based and is the most researched form of play therapy for children. Research supports that CCPT often leads to statistically significant decreases in concerning and unwanted behaviors, symptoms, and struggles amidst varying circumstances and diagnoses, and it demonstrates significantly increased self-concept. Through their native language of play with a trained child-centered play therapist, children learn and develop skills of self-responsibility, creative problem-solving, self-control, self-regulation, self-direction, self-confidence, and self-acceptance.

 

To learn more about the research regarding child-centered play therapy:

- http://evidencebasedchildtherapy.com

- https://cpt.unt.edu/researchpublications/meta-analyses

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I am passionate about including parents and caregivers in the therapy process as much as possible! 

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The themes that emerge in a child’s play often reflect potential internalized messages and current needs of the child. Regular parent consultations provide the opportunity to discuss themes while maintaining the privacy of the child’s play sessions, and the counselor can discuss coinciding interventions or tools for the parents to use at home. 

 

My standard process involves scheduling an initial 1-hour intake session with the parents followed by three 45-minute play therapy sessions with the child. Then we schedule a parent consultation where I collaborate with parents on a treatment plan including estimated number of sessions. I provide a minimum of once a month parent consultations, and parents are welcome to schedule with me as frequently as needed.

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If you would like to learn more & explore this option for your family, feel free to give me a call, send me an email or text, or schedule a free 15-minute consultation with me below!