Play Therapy

The best therapy for children can look different than therapy for adults.

Play Therapy provides your child the support they need in a comfortable space to explore who they are and how they feel.

It’s normal to think of “fun” when you hear the word “play”. But playing is a lot more than that for your child. It’s the way they learn about themselves and the world around them. It’s how they develop important life skills and a natural way for them to communicate their thoughts, feelings, and ideas.

That’s why Play Therapy can be so effective at helping your child address and work through challenging life situations, trauma, behavioral problems, and complicated emotions.

Your child might not be developmentally ready for the type of therapy that benefits adults. The best option for them to get the help and support they need might be through play. At Best Life Louisville, we have therapists who are licensed, trained, and experienced in meeting your child where they are with the therapy option that is best for them.

What is Play Therapy?

Play therapy for kids is simply a counseling method that allows your child to communicate through play. This means they don’t have to sit and answer questions. And they don’t have to figure out how to put words to situations or feelings they might not fully understand.

Play Therapy sessions may look different for every child because they’re all about helping the child feel comfortable and communicate in the way that works best for them. For some children, this might be coloring while others may prefer to play with toys or games.

These therapy sessions for kids are designed for your child to be in control and doing the activities that they enjoy. A therapist observes your child as they play and even plays along with them.

As your child plays, they are giving the therapist insight into the emotions they’re experiencing and how they feel about specific situations that have happened to them.

During this time, your child’s therapist can help them learn how to cope with difficult situations and redirect their behavior.

What type of activities happen during Play Therapy?

Depending on the specific situation, the session may be child-led or therapist-led. The types of activities may include:

Storytelling
Role-playing
Stuffed animals or puppets
Cars, action figures, dolls, or similar toys
Sand or water play
Building toys such as blocks
Music, dance, or creative movement
Coloring

What Play Therapy can be used for:

Play therapy is generally used with children ages 3 – 12 years old but can be used with others as well. Examples of some of the situations it can be helpful with include:

Anxiety or depression
Learning disabilities or delays in development
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Trauma recovery
Abandonment, neglect, or abuse
Behavioral problems in school or with family
Anger and aggression
Chronic illness
Divorce or separation
The grief of losing a loved one
Eating disorders

Best Life’s Play Therapy Room

In order to support children through therapy as best we can, we’re in the process of building a Play Therapy room. This will allow us to create a space that is designed specifically for children.

While we complete the construction and design of the Play Therapy space, we’re continuing to provide this type of therapy in our current therapy space.

Let’s help your child enjoy childhood.

There are many obstacles children may face while growing up. We want to partner with you to support your child in having a safe and healthy childhood so they can grow into their best selves.

Our therapists are licensed, experienced, and enjoy working with children through therapy designed just for them.