At HeadFirst Counseling, we look at each individual child as a unique being with his or her own special set of skills and strengths. We attempt to truly understand your child, find out what need they are not getting met, and help them find ways to get their needs met in socially appropriate ways. As a result of play therapy, your child learns pro-social and responsible ways of interacting with the environment and learns to view him or herself more positively and as more capable.

 

Play therapy can help children with a wide variety of backgrounds and life experiences. Here are some things to look out for that may indicate your child could benefit from play therapy:

 

• academic difficulties

• adoption

• anxious behavior

• perfectionism/rigid behaviors

• bed wetting/pant wetting

• sleeping problems/nightmares

• divorce or separation in the family

• grief or any type of loss

• hospitalization/chronic illness for the child or family member

• relocation of the child or family

• aggression

• defiant behavior/ limit breaking

• difficulty with social interaction

• social withdrawal

• low frustration tolerance

• easily discouraged

• lying, blaming others

• sexualized behavior

• bullying/threatening behaviors

• attention issues

• sensory processing issues

• impulsive

• avoidant behaviors

• acting younger than chronological age

• changes in eating patterns

• change in mood (in either extreme)

• increase in physical complaints (headaches, stomachaches)

 

Play therapy helps children to:

 

• develop creative solutions to problems and new ways of thinking

• develop self-responsibility

• increase acceptance of self and others

• identify and express emotions

• develop empathy and respect for the thoughts and feelings of others

• learn and practice new social skills

• develop self-regulation

• cultivate relationship skills

• increase self-worth, self-confidence, and self-efficacy