Where Meaningful Intervention Meets Fun
Discover how Creative Counseling Co’s children’s play therapists can make a breakthrough in your child’s life. We are fully certified and equipped to empower children in grades K-8 to become more resilient, responsible, and better versions of themselves through play therapy. Come visit our practice in Denver, CO today!
CHILDREN ARE MEANT TO PLAY. IN A WORLD THAT OFTEN WORKS TO QUIET AND STIFLE A CHILD’S VOICE, WE BELIEVE IN FOSTERING AND CULTIVATING HONEST, HEALTHY AND AUTHENTIC CHILD BEHAVIOR. THROUGH PROPER PLAY THERAPY TECHNIQUES, WE WILL GIVE YOU AND YOUR CHILD THE TOOLS TO EMOTIONALLY REGULATE, POSITIVELY INSPIRE, AND SOCIALLY BEHAVE ACCORDING TO YOUR CHILD’S INTERESTS, NEEDS, AND PERSONALITY.
What is a Children’s Play Therapist?
A children's play therapist is a mental health professional specializing in using play as a therapeutic tool to help children process emotions, build coping skills, and develop healthy relationships. By creating a safe and supportive environment, play therapists empower children to explore their feelings through play, art, and other creative outlets.
What Does A Children's Play Therapists Do
Children’s play therapists address a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and traumatic issues. Take a look here:
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Emotional Behavioral Issues
Children-focused play therapy can help address a range of emotional issues, including anger, anxiety, low self-esteem, fear, and even ADHD. A trained therapist will be able to spot behavioral issues and address them.
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Family and Relationship Issues:
Children may become rebellious, withdrawn, or stubborn in their relationships due to sibling rivalry, bullying, or divorce. Play therapy can help build stronger connections with family members and others.
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Traumatic Experiences:
Exposure to the death of a friend or family member, witnessing parents fight, losing touch with a good friend, accidents, or injuries are all possibly traumatic events for kids. A play therapist can help guide your child through those experiences in a safe, supportive environment.
IS YOUR CHILD EXPERIENCING ANXIETY, LASHING OUT AT CLOSE FAMILY MEMBERS, OR STRUGGLING TO REBOUND WHEN PLANS CHANGE?
Play therapy allows children to express themselves in a natural and comfortable way, helping them to process complex emotions and experiences through PLAY. It is particularly effective for children who may struggle with verbalizing their feelings, as the therapeutic play creates a safe space for them to communicate non-verbally.
Children often find it challenging to engage in standard therapy sessions due to their developmental stage. Children communicate through their play so why would you send them to a therapist who specializes in talk therapy? Play therapy aligns with their natural way of learning and interacting. Through activities like drawing, role-playing, and using toys, therapists can help children understand and manage their emotions. Consulting with a trained play therapist can provide more personalized insights into whether this approach is appropriate for your child’s specific needs.
How Does Play Therapy Work?
Play therapy is beneficial for children because it allows children to express themselves freely and naturally. As opposed to talk therapy, play therapy allows more emotions to come to the surface where they can observe potential problems.
Through fun activities, children can learn to do the following:
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Communicate nonverbally
Many children struggle to express their emotions in words. Play allows them to express themselves freely through actions, toys, and imagination.
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Process traumatic experiences:
Play therapy offers a controlled environment where children can safely revisit and process upsetting events without feeling overwhelmed.
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Develop coping mechanisms
Through play, children can explore different ways to handle challenging situations and develop healthy coping strategies.
How is Children's Therapy Different from Traditional Therapy?
Children’s therapy is a relatively new therapeutic intervention that is different from talk therapy because it allows kids to open up organically. Children often find it easier to express their emotions and experiences through play rather than verbally, and play therapy allows them to process feelings and situations in a natural and comfortable way.
In addition, while traditional therapy dives into past experiences, play therapy focuses on the present moment and the child's immediate world. The environment of is child-friendly filled with toays and materials that encourage creative expression.
The Therapist's Role is to Observe:
A play therapist is trained to observe and interpret a child's play behavior to understand their inner world. They create a safe space for the child to explore their emotions and develop coping skills. In observing kids open up naturally, a trained counselor can address problem areas, including behavioral and emotional issues.
Benefits of Play Therapy for Children
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Improved emotional regulation: Children learn to identify, understand, and manage their emotions effectively.
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Increased self-confidence: Play therapy helps children build self-esteem and believe in their abilities.
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Stronger relationships: Children develop better communication and social skills, leading to improved relationships with peers and family.
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Reduced anxiety and depression symptoms: Play therapy can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, promoting overall well-being.
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Improved communication and social skills: Children enhance their ability to express themselves and interact positively with others.
Techniques Used in Child’s Play Therapy
​At Creative Counseling Co., we incorporate various play therapy techniques tailored to each child's needs. Depending on the issues your child is facing and their age, we may use any of the following techniques
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Directive play: Focused on relaxation techniques, coping skills, and building confidence – the therapist will guide the child to work through specific issues.
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Art therapy: Expressing emotions through drawing, painting, or sculpting – the therapist can allow children to open up about their thoughts and feelings.
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Bibliotherapy: Reading stories about characters overcoming fears.
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Dramatic play: Acting out different scenarios to practice self-control – a trained therapist will have children work through different imaginary and real-life scenarios.
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Directive play: Learning problem-solving skills and impulse control – the child therapist actively guides the play session, suggesting specific activities or toys to help the child work through specific issues.
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In all these scenarios, the therapist can strengthen their relationship. With trust comes greater comfort levels, and the therapeutic process can progress.
Why Choose Creative Counseling Colorado?
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Certified to Practice Play Therapy in Colorado
Leigh Bates, owner of Creative Counseling Colorado, is a board-certified art therapist and Licensed Practicing Counselor (LPC). Her expertise in play therapy is underscored by receiving her RPT (Registered Play Therapist), which is the highest level of play therapy training available in the country.
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Collaborative Approach to Addressing Problem Behaviors
Whether your child is struggling to build healthy self-esteem, explodes in anger, or doesn’t play well with others – a robust action plan will be made in tandem with your trained therapist, involving you every step of the way.
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Additional Support for Parents
Whether you’re aware of it or not, there are several ways parents can help their children become stronger, more resilient versions of themselves. We’ll coach you through the process with compassionate care and expert advice.
Questions? We got answers
Children's Play Therapist FAQ:
How Long Does Child’s Play Therapy Take?
The duration of play therapy varies depending on the child's individual needs and goals. Typically, sessions last between 45-60 minutes, and the number of sessions required can range from 10-20 depending on if your child has experienced a traumatic event. It's important to note that play therapy is a collaborative process between the child, therapist, and parents, and the treatment plan is tailored to each child's unique circumstances,
What Credentials does a children’s play therapist require?
A play therapist typically holds a Masters degree in counseling has passed the state exams to become a licensed therapist. Most play therapists have a background working with adolescents; however, the golden standard to becoming a play therapist is becoming certified as an RPT (registered play therapist). We are fully credentialed and have our RPT, which is something that makes our practice stand out.
What to Look for When Hiring a Children’s Play Therapist?
When evaluating a potential counselor for your child, you must ensure they are fully licensed and authorized to practice. In addition, it’s essential that the approach they use aligns with your child’s needs and your family’s values. Finally, it’s essential that you feel the therapist would be a good fit for both you and your child.