Child play therapy spaces can vary from a few games tucked away on a shelf to an entire room dedicated to therapeutic play. The latter is a clear indicator that the therapist prioritizes children in their practice. These therapists are often characterized by their willingness to invest in a range of therapeutic toys and crafting materials, which reflects their training, experience, and capacity to treat children effectively.
Identifying therapists who prioritize children and play therapy requires attention to their training and experience. While many clinicians may claim to provide play therapy, the specialists in this field have completed additional instruction and education in specialized clinic programs or training programs that require many hours of supervised practice before being granted certification in “play therapy” or “expressive arts therapy.”
It is also important to note that various elements of play therapy will vary based on the child’s age. Therefore, therapists need to identify the age range they are skilled to work with. Play therapy may benefit children experiencing a wide range of social, behavioral, emotional, and learning challenges, such as traumatic experiences, domestic violence, physical and sexual abuse, or recovery from natural disasters, etc. Benefits of play therapy may include improved problem-solving skills, emotional self-regulation, personal confidence, family communication, and parent-child attachment.
When searching for a therapist, it’s essential to ask about their training and certification in play therapy to ensure that they have the necessary expertise to support your child effectively.
