Psychotherapy is a treatment used in the mental health needs of adults and children. In most cases, it is a practice acknowledged and accepted by experts in the field. Whereas, play therapy is considered a suitable and effective intervention when dealing with brain development in children.
Play oriented therapies generally involve children aged three to eleven. The primary focus of a therapist in this area is to provide a safe and comfortable space where the child can undergo a self-guided healing process. Since most children communicate best at playtime, this period often becomes an important aspect of the therapeutic process.
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.
Therapy associated with playtime has become a valid form of treatment accepted by a number of mental health organizations. For, it is believed that this form of psychotherapeutic counseling while aimed at children can also benefit adults. As such, there are now therapists whom focus on adults and children whom need assistance in these areas.
The therapy can also be used as a tool for diagnosing a variety of conditions during childhood. In doing so, a therapist will observe a child playing with different types of toys to determine any disturbing or unusual behavior. In most cases, this play along with how the child interacts with the therapist can be used to determine if there are any behavioral issues present inside or outside therapy sessions.
According to several psychodynamic sources, children will often engage in play in order to work with emotional blocks and anxieties. According to this viewpoint, this type of therapy can also be used by children as a self-help mechanism as long as children are allowed to play freely and without structure. Although, there are times during sessions in which non-directed playtimes may very well become directed in order for the therapist to take control of a situation.
In some cases, children using this non-directed method may need to be redirected back to a directed playtime. When this is the case, it is important the therapist use a form of therapy to change or eliminate the troubling behavior which arose during the process. After which, therapists are hopeful other methods will provide better results.
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.
Play oriented therapies generally involve children aged three to eleven. The primary focus of a therapist in this area is to provide a safe and comfortable space where the child can undergo a self-guided healing process. Since most children communicate best at playtime, this period often becomes an important aspect of the therapeutic process.
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.
Therapy associated with playtime has become a valid form of treatment accepted by a number of mental health organizations. For, it is believed that this form of psychotherapeutic counseling while aimed at children can also benefit adults. As such, there are now therapists whom focus on adults and children whom need assistance in these areas.
The therapy can also be used as a tool for diagnosing a variety of conditions during childhood. In doing so, a therapist will observe a child playing with different types of toys to determine any disturbing or unusual behavior. In most cases, this play along with how the child interacts with the therapist can be used to determine if there are any behavioral issues present inside or outside therapy sessions.
According to several psychodynamic sources, children will often engage in play in order to work with emotional blocks and anxieties. According to this viewpoint, this type of therapy can also be used by children as a self-help mechanism as long as children are allowed to play freely and without structure. Although, there are times during sessions in which non-directed playtimes may very well become directed in order for the therapist to take control of a situation.
In some cases, children using this non-directed method may need to be redirected back to a directed playtime. When this is the case, it is important the therapist use a form of therapy to change or eliminate the troubling behavior which arose during the process. After which, therapists are hopeful other methods will provide better results.
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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