The Association for Play Therapy defines play therapy as “the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained Play Therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development.”
Play therapy can help anyone but it is especially helpful for children 12 years and under. Children under 13 aren’t always able to connect strong emotions they are feeling with words. An example of this would be if you ask a toddler who is throwing a tantrum why they are mad? The toddler is too emotionally disregulated to stop screaming and/or hitting to tell you they are mad. Even after the toddler calms down some will still struggle to explain what upset them. Children learn and grow through play. A play therapist will use toys, art, animals and sensory objects to help kids understand their emotions. Play therapy will help children learn the skills to regulate strong emotions and to process difficult experiences.