| This past week there was another one of those | | | | themselves and watch and learn how these toys |
| awful stories in the news, the ones that make your | | | | "handle them". Whatever is on the child's mind usually |
| eyes well with tears. This time it was a young boy | | | | comes out naturally in their play. It is typical in the |
| who witnessed his mother's death. All he could say | | | | beginning of play therapy that the child's toys are |
| when questioned was Mommy's crying, Mommy's in | | | | scared, unsure, usually defeated by some type of |
| the rug, his verbal abilities and understanding of the | | | | monster. But as the sessions progress, these same |
| world still quite limited. I don't know all of the details | | | | toys end up winning battles, overcoming adversity, |
| of the case, what if anything he truly did see, but it | | | | and have a confidence they did not have previously. |
| is pretty clear that this young person has certainly | | | | Part of a play therapist's training involves tracking |
| had a traumatic experience. | | | | play, watching for themes, and voicing toys in order |
| Our culture, like so many others, values children a | | | | to elicit a response from another toy. These |
| great deal. As adults we know very well the danger | | | | techniques allow us to learn more about the meaning |
| out there, we watch the 6 o'clock news and read | | | | behind the play. If in a child's play a giant dinosaur is |
| the headlines. We go through our day attempting to | | | | walking through a Lego town and a doll is hiding |
| meet the demands of the world, mostly stressed, | | | | behind a tree, a play therapist may ask, "What is the |
| maybe anxious, probably tired. Children have yet to | | | | doll feeling?" The child, without even realizing it, is |
| enter this grown-up world, they want to play, have | | | | giving you clues to what he or she is experiencing. In |
| snacks, and watch Dora the Explorer. Us adults | | | | addition, the therapist can ask, "what can the doll do |
| usually do every thing we can to shield them from it | | | | to be less afraid?" stimulating the child to think of |
| because we know the innocence of childhood will not | | | | other ways to respond to their fears. The therapist |
| last forever. So it comes as no surprise that much of | | | | can also play with the child while still allowing them to |
| the water cooler conversations these past few days | | | | drive the process. For example, if the therapist is the |
| have been about this little boy. I have heard things | | | | dinosaur she may whisper to the child, "what is this |
| like "he needs some therapy", "if he doesn't address | | | | dinosaur saying to everyone?" allowing the child to |
| this it's going to come back to haunt him years later" | | | | guide both the fearful doll and the scary monster. |
| or "how will he ever get over this?" | | | | Through the course of the play therapy experience, |
| As a child therapist who has worked with many | | | | the child may build and rebuild this Lego city. The |
| children who have experienced trauma, I could | | | | difference being that each time the characters will |
| confidently say that, thanks to play therapy, this too | | | | act a little differently. The doll may slowly come out |
| is manageable. Just like adults talk things out after | | | | from behind the tree, speak to the dinosaur and ask |
| going through something terrifying and traumatizing, | | | | him to go away, or realize that he is not so scary |
| children play through their feelings and reactions. This | | | | after all. The dinosaur may choose another path or |
| natural inclination of children to play out the things | | | | make friends with the doll. This resolution and learning |
| that are happening around them is their way of | | | | is then integrated into the child's knowledge base. |
| trying to make sense of their world. To them they | | | | The young boy in the news story mentioned above |
| are merely playing and because of this it feels safe | | | | will obviously always remember this horrible tragedy |
| and comfortable. Actually, over-talking about | | | | and miss his mother terribly, but by engaging in play |
| traumatizing events can cause more anxiety, putting | | | | therapy he can process what has happened and learn |
| children on the spot and making the event even | | | | the necessary coping skills to have a well-adjusted |
| bigger and scarier. It is through playing that children | | | | life. |
| have a real chance to make sense of what is going | | | | If you feel your child may be suffering from a |
| on, and most importantly, resolve unconscious | | | | traumatic experience or causing you any concern you |
| conflicts. Playing gives them a sense of detachment | | | | may want to consider a play therapist. Children can |
| from which to explore and deal with their feelings. | | | | enter play therapy for a variety of reasons including |
| During play therapy children use one of their best | | | | depression, anxiety, behavior problems, school and |
| gifts, their imagination. A play therapists office is full | | | | peer concerns, social anxiety, and defiance among |
| of a variety of toys that children can choose at their | | | | many others. If you are unsure if your child may |
| will. The very choice of toys begins the play therapy | | | | have a mental health concern or you need help |
| experience. Children can act out different scenarios, | | | | determining if therapy would be beneficial you can |
| try on several different solutions or outcomes, | | | | ask me a question on my website. I am a licensed |
| practice ways to resolve conflicts and cope with | | | | Marriage and Family Therapist in Philadelphia, Pa in |
| distressing material. They can put scary, hidden | | | | private practice and have been working with children, |
| feelings and fears onto objects outside of | | | | families and individuals for over 10 years. |