The entire concept of play therapy is based upon reaching children via a medium they are comfortable with and enabling them to express concepts that may be beyond their vocabulary. Play is serious business for kids and in most cultures the way a child explores their environment and learns. This type of therapy is usually very effective for children because this is kids most natural means of expression.

However playing used to achieve therapeutically is not completely unstructured either. Although the child is supplied with a variety of objects with which to interact there are time limits on how a session lasts, the child can leave at any time but usually is not allowed to resume until the next session. Although there are boundaries set as far as duration of the session, the actual sessions are non-directive with the therapist observing and providing verbalization for the non-verbal child but not interfering.

The sessions are structured in so far as the time and place are set by the therapist. Children who are able to speak are encouraged to speak as they play and for those who are unable to speak; the therapist may reflect their actions back to them. Dolls of all ages, sizes and sexes are usually presented to the child as well as art supplies, clay and even toy guns and knives.

Very frequently this type of therapy can reveal conflicts and issues that the younger child may not have the ability to put into perspective or emotions which they feel unsafe verbalizing. Drawing pictures might be a way a child chooses to communicate these conflicts or interacting with dolls and then verbalizing recent lessons or traumas is another means of expression. Specially trained counselors or therapists may conduct these sessions with severely traumatized or non-verbal children.

In any type of therapeutic encounter the role of the therapist is most frequently that of the active and non-directive listener. In play therapy sessions with children the role of the therapist is not to judge, correct or give moral lessons but instead to reflect the child’s when they are non-verbal and to aid them in processing emotions and situations for which they might otherwise lack the tools. This type of interaction may be effective because it is one of the most natural and normal way for children to express feelings.

Adults have been known to benefit from this type of interactive therapy. Unfortunately fewer adults are skilled in free play and usually require instruction and more direction. Non-verbal adults have been treated with some success in this manner when other methods fail.

A lot can be learned about a child watching their interactions with their toys. Children often use this interaction as a means of acting out conflicts and expressing emotions. This can be used in cases where a child has been traumatized or when they are not able to voice or even identify the issues without help.

While there are many types of therapy available for adults and many can work, for children the choices are fewer. Children do not usually possess the vocabulary or the experience to identify emotions. This type of therapy helps them voice them without having to name them and can help them work out issues for which they have no words or the feelings are too strange or complex to put into words.

Get inside information on reasons why play therapy is more than just fun now in our comprehensive guide to all you need to know about how and where to find the best play therapist .