Play therapy

SHARED FROM:

Star2: Wednesday 17 July 2013

Power of PLAY

By Ivy Soon

            Play is part of recovery process.  It may help traumatize children to deal with their experiences.  Play is a non-speech based therapy so that non-verbal children could also communicate.

           Play therapy is a powerful medium for expression and rehabilitation.  To be able to perform in play therapy there a few things that you have to learn and unlearn:

1.        Move away from talk therapy

            -           acquire active listening skills

            -           look at body language

            -           listen for clues to gain insights

2.        Support the play

            -           creating safe spaces

            -           not intervening or directing their play

            -           not imposing views

3.        Build rapport and gain trust

            -           it’s fundamental

            -           give freedom to use play as a medium for self-expression

            -           allow the release of pent up negative emotion

            -           do not interfere or judge

            Play sessions allow children and adults alike to communicate especially if there’s issue that they find difficult to confront.  There is no under-estimating the power of play.  As they are playing, the children are working on their troubles.

            The difference between normal play and play therapy is that the therapist is there to support the child as he works through issues.  A play therapist is also able to share observations with the caregivers and discuss ways to help the child.  Being able to express them is powerful, and with play they are able to do that without words.

 

Chris Ng

Play Therapist

Diploma in Practice Based

Play Therapy from University of Canterbury

Christ Church Britain

Master of Arts from the University of Hawaii, United States

Ng.chris2@gmail.com