Play therapy is an evidence-based form of treatment that helps children work through emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. Despite its proven effectiveness, there are several myths surrounding play therapy that prevent many children from receiving the help they need. In this blog post, we will dispel some of these myths and help parents and caregivers understand why play therapy is such a valuable tool for children.
Myth: Therapy is only for adults. Fact: Therapy is for anyone! While sessions for children look different than a session for an adult, both are important and effective. Play therapy is specifically designed to help children and is an evidence-based approach to treating children. In fact, according to Mental Health America, 60.3% of youth in 2022 with a depressive disorder did not receive any type of treatment. Therapy is an effective form of treatment for children, and play therapy can be especially helpful for those who may not have the emotional or verbal skills to communicate their feelings and experiences.
Myth: You must have a really big problem to go to therapy. Fact: Therapy can address a wide range of problems, symptoms, and behaviors. Play therapy can help children who are struggling with trauma, grief, anger, defiance, inattention, depression, poor emotional regulation, changes in the home environment, adjustment issues, autism, anxiety, divorce, school problems, difficulty following directions, and more. Many people mistakenly believe that therapy is only for those with serious mental health issues, but the truth is that therapy can help anyone who is struggling with their emotions, relationships, or life in general.
Myth: I play with my children at home so play therapy won’t work for my child. Fact: Parent involvement is vital to the success of your child and it is highly encouraged in play therapy. While play time at home and play time in a therapeutic setting are different, your child’s therapist is highly trained in interventions and techniques that will use play time to help your child meet their treatment goals. Your child’s therapist will work with you to help your child develop the skills they need to thrive, and they will provide you with the support you need to continue this work at home.
Myth: My child will not talk and open up about what is bothering them so therapy will not help. Fact: Play therapy is the ideal treatment for children because it uses toys to help them communicate. Children do not need to be able to verbally express their feelings and experiences to benefit from play therapy. Instead, they use playful interventions and toys that are comfortable to them to communicate with the therapist. This nonverbal communication can be just as effective as talking, and it allows children to express themselves in a way that is safe and comfortable for them. Through this work, real healing can begin.
In conclusion, play therapy is a valuable tool for helping children work through a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges. By dispelling the myths surrounding play therapy, we can help more children receive the help they need and reach their full potential. If you believe your child could benefit from play therapy, don’t hesitate to reach out to a licensed therapist who specializes in this evidence-based approach.