Most people associate therapy with talking, but what most do not know is that many
therapists, including myself, use games during sessions to provide support. Therapists who
incorporate games in sessions, use Play Therapy. This may sound silly, but play therapy is a
well used modality that can be beneficial for clients who are struggling with anxiety, abuse,
bullying, illness, grief, and even family separation, as well as others.
Play therapy helps build rapport and a safe haven for clients in their therapy session,
and also allows the client to have fun. No, play therapy does not mean that it is all about games,
it means that through fun activities the therapist is able to help the client express potential
complex emotions, help with communication skills, process trauma as well as developing coping
skills and even social skills. There are many benefits to play therapy.
Play therapy provides the opportunity for clients to express themselves through play, and
even art. Play therapy is typically used with children, as children may have a hard time opening
up to their therapist since they are thought to be a stranger at first. It can take weeks for a client
to feel comfortable and/or safe to open up without fear of getting in trouble, which is why play
therapy can help accelerate the process of comfortability and create a safe haven for the client.
Play therapy may not work for every child, but is very effective. It is about formulating games
and activities to the client, rather than only having assigned games, sometimes some of the best
forms of play therapy can be from allowing the client to narrate a game or drawing.
There are many modalities when it comes to therapy, but sometimes what a client needs
to feel supported is to play a game, and have someone in their corner.
By: Angelica Castaldo, MHC-LP
