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| Mountain Lion Counseling Room 2 |
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| Fox Counseling Room 1 |
“Birds fly, fish swim and children play.”
~Garry Landreth
What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy differs from regular play in that the therapist helps children to address and resolve their own problems. Play therapy builds on the natural way that children learn about themselves and their relationships in the world around them (Axline, 1947; Carmichael, 2006; Landreth, 2002). Through play therapy, children learn to communicate with others, express feelings, modify behavior, develop problem-solving skills, and learn a variety of ways of relating to others. Play provides a safe psychological distance from their problems and allows expression of thoughts and feelings appropriate to their development.
PLAY THERAPY IS AN EVIDENCED BASED MODEL
15 years of research in Play Therapy demonstrates: statistically significant effectiveness for children participating in play therapy; significant improvement in disruptive behaviors, internalizing problems, academic progress, relationships, self-concept, trauma, anxiety and impairment; reductions in externalizing, internalizing, aggressive, attention deficit, trauma, and somatization problems, as well as improvement in self concept, global functioning, relationship stress, development and social emotional assets; and support the use of play therapy with disrupted attachment, highly disruptive behavior, negative home environments, loss and bereavement, past trauma, PTSD, psychosis, autism, emotional disorders, aggression and developmental delays (find the full statement at a4pt.org).
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Click to visit Evidence-Based Practice Statement: Play Therapy on APT's website
What are the therapeutic powers of play? |
Play Therapy Competencies
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| Waiting Area |
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| Fox Room Counseling Room 1 |
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| Expressive Play Area |
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| Art Area |
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Nurturing & Aggressive Play Area
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| Shared Sand Tray Room |
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| Mountain Lion Counseling Room 2 |
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| Nurturing Area |
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| Expressive, Art, Aggressive Play Area |
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| Nurturing and Expressive Play Area |
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| One Side of the Room |
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| Other Side of Room Facing Sand Tray Play Area |
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| Wet and Dry Sand Tray Play Area |
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| Sand Tray Area with small Shelves |
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Sand Tray Collection in Closet Area
“Play seems to always contain the possibility for children finding a new way,
of opening unopened doors.”
~Dennis McCarthy
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