Play is more than fun…

The Therapeutic Powers of Play

Play is the natural language of childhood. Play allows children to express themselves where their language may not yet allow, whilst also bridging their language gaps. The metaphor of play allows a safe place to work through their experiences and anxieties. Through play, children get to try things out, to experiment and to rehearse real life situations. Through play, children can express and begin to regulate their emotions and trigger deep healing. They can safely process traumatic events and find ways to master these experiences. Play builds positive emotions, self-esteem and problem-solving skills. Through play, children find a safe space to express and overcome their fears and build coping strategies. Play strengthens attachment and builds social skills such as negotiation and cooperation. It is also an important element in the development of empathy, as children role play and imagine what it feels like to be others, establishing right and wrong, guilt and shame, anger and fear. Children can practice solving problems without real-life consequences. Play builds resilience, as children learn to deal with the consequences of their actions. Play allows a safe place for children to understand who they are, figure out the world and their place in it. For more information, see The Therapeutic Powers of Play: 20 core agents of change.

Play Therapy harnesses the above Therapeutic Powers of Play by providing conditions to allow for therapeutic play, including unconditional positive regard, warmth, acceptance, respect and permissiveness. 

Research Showing the Effectiveness of Play Therapy

Research conducted into the effectiveness of Play Therapy shows just how powerful this approach is for bringing about change. Reviews of over 200 studies on Play Therapy showed significant reductions in common childhood mental health issues, including impulsivity, anxiety, depression, social issues, academic issues and more (Bratton, Ray, Rhine & Jones, 2005; LeBlanc & Richie, 2001; Lin & Bratton, 2015; Pester, Lenz & Dell’Aquila, 2019; Ray et al., 2015). For more information on research into the effectiveness of Play Therapy, see here.