Therapy is one of a number of processes used in treating mental conditions. While adults often seek out a psychologist, psychotherapist or psychiatrist, play therapist and play therapy are often better options for children. For, this type of therapy has now been acknowledged as one of the best options for three to eleven years, especially when dealing with issues related to brain development.
By providing a safe method for young individuals to express experiences in a safe and self-guided process, therapists can learn a lot about a child. As children often communicate best when playing alone or with others, playtime is now considered an important aspect of childhood. In fact, therapists have now taken this to another step by monitoring children while playing alone or with others to diagnose a number of behavioral issues.
Play can also help children develop master skills when it comes to conquering innate abilities, thus leading to a sense of pride and self-worth. As children are driven to meet the essential need of exploration of an environment, playtime can often assist in this goal as well.
Playing can also contribute to the advancement and development of critical thought, especially when playing cards and board games. While video games also have this capability, it is important that the game be matched to the age and skills of the child. In all cases, children learn how to release strong emotional responses during this type of play.
This type of therapy is actually a valid form of psychotherapeutic counseling which can help people, especially children in preventing and resolving a number of psychosocial challenges. The goal is to help children become more comfortable with social interaction, development, growth, emotional health and overcoming different types of trauma.
As part of the process, therapists are now using this type of therapy to diagnose and treat a number of mental health issues. To do so, a therapist will most often observe a child playing with different types of toys and ask questions if the behavior seems outside normally accepted behavior. In most cases, this therapeutic playtime along with how the child answers any questions will be enough for a therapist to identify the cause of behavioral problems or emotional issues.
According to several sources, children will often engage in playing to overcome anxiety and emotional blockages. In doing so, this type of therapy becomes a self-help mechanism, especially when children are allowed unstructured play for long periods at a time. At the same time, there can be a need for a parent or therapist to interact and take control of a situation, especially when a child shows signs of distress.
If a child shows distress, most therapists will use a type of relearning or desensitization therapy to change the behavior which caused the issue. Most often, those using this approach are hopeful that the process will lead to lasting change. Although, there are times when this approach can also backfire and therapists must seek out other methods to eliminate negative behavior.
Ultimately, playing has been recognized as a therapeutic tool since the time of Plato from 429 to 347 B. C., so basically since the beginning of time. For, Plato observed that individuals can learn more about a person in an hour of playtime than in a year of conversation. While this is the case, current therapies of this nature only became popular in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, though the popularity will most likely continue to carry forward well into the future.
By providing a safe method for young individuals to express experiences in a safe and self-guided process, therapists can learn a lot about a child. As children often communicate best when playing alone or with others, playtime is now considered an important aspect of childhood. In fact, therapists have now taken this to another step by monitoring children while playing alone or with others to diagnose a number of behavioral issues.
Play can also help children develop master skills when it comes to conquering innate abilities, thus leading to a sense of pride and self-worth. As children are driven to meet the essential need of exploration of an environment, playtime can often assist in this goal as well.
Playing can also contribute to the advancement and development of critical thought, especially when playing cards and board games. While video games also have this capability, it is important that the game be matched to the age and skills of the child. In all cases, children learn how to release strong emotional responses during this type of play.
This type of therapy is actually a valid form of psychotherapeutic counseling which can help people, especially children in preventing and resolving a number of psychosocial challenges. The goal is to help children become more comfortable with social interaction, development, growth, emotional health and overcoming different types of trauma.
As part of the process, therapists are now using this type of therapy to diagnose and treat a number of mental health issues. To do so, a therapist will most often observe a child playing with different types of toys and ask questions if the behavior seems outside normally accepted behavior. In most cases, this therapeutic playtime along with how the child answers any questions will be enough for a therapist to identify the cause of behavioral problems or emotional issues.
According to several sources, children will often engage in playing to overcome anxiety and emotional blockages. In doing so, this type of therapy becomes a self-help mechanism, especially when children are allowed unstructured play for long periods at a time. At the same time, there can be a need for a parent or therapist to interact and take control of a situation, especially when a child shows signs of distress.
If a child shows distress, most therapists will use a type of relearning or desensitization therapy to change the behavior which caused the issue. Most often, those using this approach are hopeful that the process will lead to lasting change. Although, there are times when this approach can also backfire and therapists must seek out other methods to eliminate negative behavior.
Ultimately, playing has been recognized as a therapeutic tool since the time of Plato from 429 to 347 B. C., so basically since the beginning of time. For, Plato observed that individuals can learn more about a person in an hour of playtime than in a year of conversation. While this is the case, current therapies of this nature only became popular in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, though the popularity will most likely continue to carry forward well into the future.
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