Play Therapy

Depending on the age of the child and their personality, children have many different ways of expressing themselves with a therapist. Some children may enter therapy speaking directly to the therapist about their concerns while other children feel more comfortable communicating through play.

In play therapy, the child uses various forms of therapeutic play such as painting, dolls, art, sand tray, games, puppets, and drawing as methods for expressing their internal and external experiences, concerns, and conflicts. By expressing themselves through play and talk, the child's needs, capacities, and comfort level is made known. Through play, the child conveys their internal world and reflects back their struggles, conflicts, anxieties, as well as excitement and ideals about their world. Play therapy is to children what talk therapy is to adults.

As the child's therapist, Carol Corcoran, LCMFT, LMFT will help them better recognize their feelings, actions, and stories of themselves and others, through the representation of their play in order for the child to work through their struggles. I will create a space that is safe and supportive in order for the child to be heard and validated. Not only does play therapy work wonderfully, kids love it! This may also be combined with Therapy Focused on Attachment which includes the parent(s) in therapy with the child.

To learn more about trauma, brain and relationship:
Helping Children Heal video (click on GoTo videos segments)

© Copyright 2011 Creating Healthy Connections