The Power of Play Therapy

Play therapy is recognized as an evidence-based, developmentally appropriate approach to counseling children (Dugan, Snow & Crowe, 2010). It is especially optimal for children between the ages of two and eight, who are not at a cognitive level of development to adequately participate in traditional talk therapies. Young children simply do not have the language to talk through their experiences. At this stage of development, they naturally use play as a form of expression and communication rather than words (Bratton, Ray, Edwards & Landreth, 2009). This idea is supported by Norton and Norton (1997), who assert children approach their world experientially rather than cognitively. They use play to make sense of the world around them. Play therapy in particular allows children to have an outlet to play out scenarios they have experienced and explore feelings they may be enduring.

Child-centered play therapy, which is a form of non-directive play therapy, is also highly respectful of children’s inner ability to heal. In congruence with Virginia Axline’s person-

centered approach for adults, child-centered therapists believe children have an inborn ability to create meaning from their experiences and are capable of solving their own problems (Bratton, Ray, Edwards, & Landreth, 2009). This approach also emphasizes that the therapeutic relationship between therapist and child is healing in itself.

In addition to animal assisted therapy, the therapists at Animal Assisted Therapy of the Mountain Communities often implement play therapy while working with young clients. We recognize that it is an empirically supported approach and we find that it complements animal assisted therapy beautifully. Both are expressive, creative therapies: one utilizes animals as a therapeutic tool, while the other utilizes toys and play to understand and connect. If you are interested in learning more about these two therapeutic modalities and how they could help a young loved one in your life, please reach out to us.