First, young children can’t always put their feelings and emotions into words.
So, as a child therapist in Niantic, Connecticut, I help children express their emotions in ways beyond words. From child therapy, your child can use music, art, or nature to express anger.
In general, parents ask questions regarding the effectiveness of play as a form of family counseling. As a child therapist in Niantic, Connecticut, I can share that play is your child’ unique language.
And, you may say, “But my child needs to talk about the divorce. My child is always frustrated and needs to talk.” Yes, these concerns are common. Talking alone, however, tends to aggravate a confused child. Instead, play therapy is not just play. Rather, as a creative child therapist in Niantic, Connecticut, I help your child talk about divorce through the language of play and art. So, from these sessions, your child will have less anger and anxiety. Now, play therapy is instead a metaphor for emotional expression and a way to “talk.” On that note, the treatment might be fun for the young child and seem like simple playtime to a parent. However, as a creative child therapist in Niantic, Connecticut, there is a lot assessing that occurs.
Play therapy is incredibly meaningful, beneficial, and paramount to a child’s success in therapy!
For instance, young children (and even adolescents) process their confusion with divorce, share deeper feelings of loss and grief, and in general, communicate through play. Imaginary and pretend play allow children to be creative, be themselves, and assume the control and leadership they so rarely experience living in a rigid world run by adults. Additionally, play therapy also helps parents connect with their children. And, child therapy in Niantic, Connecticut focuses on learning on age appropriate play for a youngster. Likewise, children who are struggling with frustration, worry, and anxiety express their inner turmoil through play. Read more about how I help children in my practice, here.
Children get to share what it feels like to be them.
As a therapist, I then have a better understand of a child’s journey, their life story, what is going on in their mind, and now have a window into their internal dialogue. From there, then I can support a child in their own process of discovering alternative ways of coping with their worries, frustrations, anxieties, and fears.
Play Reveals the Child’s Inner Landscape and Deeper Emotional World
For instance, consider a five year old boy who has over and over seen his parents in violent, yelling fights. He has been a witness to domestic abuse, repeatedly. As a result, he acts out in school, has trouble building friendships, often hits and bites peers at school, has trouble sleeping, and is labeled as a bully by other parents and teachers.
A Boy In Pain Presents As A Bully
Now, if he was asked to “talk,” he would continue to exemplify these behaviors in the therapy room. However, in a play therapy office, he walks into a session and immediately feels comfortable. Overall, he sees a variety of play dough in neon colors, a basket full of fuzzy animal puppets and people, and to his left sees a toy garage with miniature cars.
Building Trust and Attachment with Children with a Trauma History
At first, play serves as a way of building trust. However, even in session number one, the therapist has a chance to see first-hand a world of pain, loss, and sadness. So, he lives in a world of betrayal and doesn’t know who to trust. Through the puppets, he coveys the “bad guys,” are coming, exemplifying fear and works to find a place to hide.
Play Therapy Offers Support for Positive Growth
In conclusion, play therapy helps children work through, express, and let go of troublesome, overwhelming emotions. Moreover, play meets a child where they are. Secondly, play helps children in therapy feel safe in the moment in the therapy room while providing a means for assessment. It allows a child who is already looking for safety feel heard and seen as well as validated. Further, play therapy can be very beneficial and nurturing for children with autism spectrum disorder, social learning needs, and past trauma history.
Positive changes can be seen through improved behavior at school. Also, play can teach a child better coping skills to deal with their overwhelming anxiety.
About Katie Ziskind, child therapist and marriage therapist in Niantic, Connecticut
Written by Katie Ziskind, LMFT, RYT500. At Wisdom Within Counseling, in Niantic, CT I help challenged children develop social skills and teens, adults, and couples heal from trauma. My mission is to help boost self-confidence for life-long wellness. I integrate evidenced-based experiential therapies for a highly effective mixed methods approach integrating art, yoga, music, and animal therapy groups- so children and teens can build positive skills and live a life they LOVE! Read more at WisdomWithinCt.com.
