Play Therapy in Bergen County
Is your child struggling at home and/or at school and you don’t know why?
Play therapy gives kids the tools they need to share their feelings.
Your child is acting aggressively or irritable for no apparent reason.
Your child is moody or cries and nothing you do seems to help.
Your child is defiant, rebellious, and physically acting out.
Your child has shut down emotionally.
Your child’s sweet demeanor has suddenly shifted.
If this sounds like your young one, play therapy may be beneficial in uncovering and addressing the underlying issue.
Children can’t communicate like adults.
Many children experience difficulty navigating the day-to-day, i.e., school, social activities, and family time. As a result, they may break down or act out. You know something is wrong, but no matter how much you prod or inquire, you can’t get to the root of the underlying problem. Don’t blame yourself or think you’re a failure as a parent. Children lack the awareness and ability to communicate their struggles and emotional feelings. They simply can’t pinpoint the triggers or express their thoughts like adults. Often, when you ask them what’s wrong, they simply answer with a range of emotional displays, or if you’re lucky enough, you may get an “I don’t know.”
Play therapy gets children to open up in ways regular talk therapy or conversations can’t. Through structured and unstructured play in a safe space, we’re able to help children process difficult emotions and express themselves without fear or judgment. Sessions may incorporate the use of toys, puppets, games, arts & crafts, dance and movement, and other fun activities to aid children in recreating an event, describing how they are feeling, and working through painful memories.
Play therapy helps children work through a wide range of difficulties.
Play therapy is designed to help children struggling with a variety of challenges, from diagnosed disorders to living through traumatic events, including:
- Trauma and Abuse
- Divorce or Separation
- Death of a Loved One
- Intellectual Disabilities
- ADHD
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Excessive Worrying
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Bullying
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Aggression
- Social Skills Issues
- Parent-Child Issues
- Sleep Difficulties
- And More
All of the therapists at Redefining Counseling are specially trained in play therapy. We love working with kids and interacting with them on their level. From joining them on the floor to take part in their games, to working alongside them on a finger painting, we’ll find the right activities to help your child explore and express their feelings in a safe and comforting way.
How play therapy can help your child’s growth and development
Just as in traditional talk therapy, play therapy can help uncover underlying issues, teach techniques for resolving problems, and provide children with coping skills to help control their emotions.
During play therapy sessions, children will gain:
- Problem-solving skills
- Anger management skills
- Emotional expression and resilience
- Better self-esteem
- Enhanced communication and social skills