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 FAQs

  • Throughout their lives, most children go through difficult times, such as the divorce of their parents, trouble making friends, or adjusting to changes at school or home. Some children need more help than others to get through these times. If you or other adults in your child’s life are concerned about your child’s behavior, play therapy can help. It is the most appropriate treatment for helping your child work through difficult times and helping you gain a better understanding of what your child is going through.

  • Toys are carefully selected for the play therapy room to facilitate creative and emotional expression from children. The types of toys used can be played with in many ways and therefore allow for decision-making in children. They are also very durable and sturdy to allow for repeated use and rough play.

  • Play Therapy is the most appropriate method of treatment for children who are having difficulties coping with life situations. Though children lack the cognitive skills to express themselves with words, they are fluent in the language of play. Play therapy allows them to express themselves in the way in which they are most comfortable.

  • The length of time a child is seen in play therapy varies from child to child. It depends upon the severity of the trauma, the child’s personality, and how the child perceived the trauma. This can be discussed with your child’s play therapist during consultation times.

  • Play therapists are specifically trained to provide an environment of acceptance, empathy and understanding in the play therapy room. Play therapy is not the same thing as playing. Play therapy uses the child’s natural tendency to “play out” their reactions to life situations, in the presence of a trained play therapist, to help the child feel accepted and understood and gain a sense of control or understanding of difficult situations.

  • The cost of play therapy varies dramatically depending upon geographical location, type of organization, insurance coverage, and availability of play therapy providers. Some insurance companies provide full or partial coverage for play therapy, however not all facilities or play therapists accept insurance as payment for services. Some providers offer sliding payment scales based upon financial need of the client. Contact play therapists directly for specific information regarding costs.

  • Group play therapy is similar to individual play therapy in many ways, but is different in that usually between 2 and 4 children spend their play therapy time together with one play therapist. Group play therapy provides children with the opportunity to learn and practice social skills in situations that are very similar to real life social situations.

  • Just as a counselor who works with adults keeps the information shared in sessions confidential, your child’s play therapist will keep the information from their sessions confidential (exceptions apply). However, he or she will meet with you periodically to discuss your child’s play in general themes, hear your concerns, and talk about any questions you may have related to your child’s progress in play therapy.

  • The play therapy environment is a place where children are accepted and understood. Many children caught in the middle of a custody battle experience lots of feelings, such as anger, fear, and uncertainty. Due to changes at home, children may not feel safe to express their emotions to their parents. Play therapy provides a safe place for children to express these emotions to an accepting and understanding person.

  • Through the course of building a relationship and engaging in the process of play therapy, your child’s play therapist will watch for themes in your child’s play. Over time and across sessions, your child’s play therapist may be able to observe enough information to either support or contradict an assumption you may have regarding abuse of your child.

This information has been taken from the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas. For more information about Play Therapy, contact your area representative for a free brochure, “Why Play Therapy,” which is published by the Association for Play Therapy.