Play Therapy Rockwall, TX 

​Play therapy is the way children communicate with life and how they process difficult situations. At Elevate Counseling Group, we work with children ages 4-8 years old to resolve difficult situations, develop confidence, and develop coping skills. To speak with a play therapist, call our office today: (214) 771-8473

Why Choose Play in Therapy?

Play therapy is to children what counseling is to adults. Play therapy utilizes play, children's natural medium of expression, to help them express their feelings more easily through toys instead of words. (Center For Play Therapy)
​
Play is the child's language. It's the way children communicate with each other and with adults. Play is also how children develop social skills, express their feelings, learn to feel good about themselves and how they solve problems. 

When we think about play therapy, we often think of the classic childhood game of make believe. However, play therapy goes beyond simply playing pretend. It uses toys and games to allow children to explore their inner worlds and communicate their emotions and experiences. This type of therapy is designed to improve communication skills, increase awareness of one's environment, and develop coping strategies.

The goal of play therapy is to help children express themselves in a way that allows them to gain insight into their problems and find solutions. During play therapy, children are encouraged to act out scenarios that represent real life situations. As the therapist guides the child through the scenario, he/she helps the child identify his/her feelings, thoughts, and actions. Children are able to recognize their feelings, understand others' perspectives, and solve conflicts. They are also given opportunities to practice these skills through role playing and practicing different responses to challenging situations.

Play Therapy Explained

​Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy that helps children overcome emotional issues such as anxiety, depression, and anger management to name a few. Play therapists work with children by observing how they interact with toys, dolls, and games. They use this information to help children learn skills that allow them to solve problems and deal with life challenges. In addition to helping children develop coping strategies, play therapy also helps them become better able to manage feelings and behaviors that cause difficulties in everyday situations.

Who Can Benefit From Play Therapy?

​Play therapy is used to help children, teenagers, and adults in certain contexts to cope with stressors such as grief, anxiety, depression, anger, and trauma. While there are many different types of play therapy, it typically involves some form of recreation. For example, therapists might encourage clients to engage in role playing, pretend play, creative writing, art making, or other activities that allow them to express themselves freely without fear of judgment. Although nearly everyone benefits from play therapy, children ages 4-8 years old are primarily who we focus on at Elevate Counseling in Rockwall. 

How Long Does Play Therapy Take?

A typical play therapy session lasts between 30 and 60 minutes and they're usually held once per week. The number of sessions needed to resolve the issue can vary based on the child. Children may improve within a few sessions or it may take longer for those facing more serious problems. 

Can Family Be Involved in Play Therapy?

Yes. The family is very important in the child's healing process. Because the problems of the child often impact the family, the whole family heals faster when working together. Your therapist will come up with a plan for when to involve the family members, which family members to involve, and want to communicate with the caretakers regularly to ensure the child is progressing. 

Schedule Your Childs Play Therapy Session

Regardless of the difficulty your child is having, play therapy is the best way to help them express and work through their emotions. At Elevate Counseling Group, our therapists are licensed and highly-experienced in helping children through play therapy. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.