Child Centered Play Therapy
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” - Matthew 19:14.
What is counseling for children? I mean, a child under the age of 14 cannot possibly sit in a therapists office and process their feelings and emotions through talk therapy, right?!? You’re right!
Here’s the deal….children use play to process their feelings and emotions, unconsciously they express experiences, concerns, and problems - happy times and frightening times all come out in play. Play is their language! According to Dr. Garry Landerth, “play gives concrete form and expression to children’s inner worlds…..emotionally significant experiences are given meaningful expression through play” (Landreth, 2011, p. 16).
So, what role does the therapist play (no pun intended) in a counseling session with a child?
The therapist who uses play is a unique individual in the child’s life, unique because the therapist does not probe, teach, discipline or direct the child. Rather, the therapist creates an intentional atmosphere of being fully present, intently observing, accepting the child, while the child’s unique developmental progress occurs - allowing them to move toward inner direction, forward-moving, creative, and self-healing power (Landreth, 2011).
What does this mean?
In other words, I am not their parent or their teacher.
A therapist who uses play is a support person who singly focuses on the child for one hour while doing these things….
Tracking alongside them (acknowledge the child as a person and interest in their world)
Reflects their big and small feelings (Acceptance of feelings and validates the child, no attempt is made to convince the child they shouldn’t feel the way they do. The child learns that they can tolerate uncertainty and frustration.)
Reflects the content of their play/inner world (hearing them confirms the child’s existence and their inherit worth)
Facilitates decision making by the child (clairifying and considering consquences)
Facilitates responsibility (the child learns that their choices have consequences and outcomes)
Facilitate creativity
Esteem-building
Encourages the child
Facilitates understanding
Sets limits for protection, structuring, and the therapist/child relationship
And in that, over time, a therapeutic relationship emerges as the therapist communicates acceptance and understanding. Children begin to recognize their inner value when the play therapist responds sensitively to the inner emotional part of their person by accepting and reflecting feelings, whether verbally or nonverbally expressed (Landreth, 2011, p. 246).
Self esteem building occurs
Helps child feel in control
Encourages self-control and self-direction
Allows child to learn what making decisions feels like
Allows child to learn what responsibility feels like
Allows child to trust himself
Empowers child to solve his own problems
Builds child’s self-esteem and character
