Why Play? Play is a child's natural form of communication just as talking is an adult's natural way of communication. Children, even children who are quite talkative, express themselves more fully through their play. Emotions are often difficult to understand for children and even more difficult to express. Play provides a non-threatening way for children to express themselves. What Is Play Therapy? Play therapy refers to a large number of treatment methods, all of which make use of one or more of the natural benefits of play. Play allows children a safe psychological distance from their problems and allows them to express their true thoughts and feelings in ways best suited to their developmental level. Play therapy allows trained play therapists to assess and understand children's play and to use it in assisting the child in coping with difficult emotions and in finding solutions to their problems. What Is Play Therapist? A play therapist is a trained mental health professional who facilitates play so that the child can systematically address and resolve his/her own problems. Play therapists work differently but all use the benefits of play to psychologically help children. Some play therapists work more directly with the problem of the child and some play therapists work with the child holistically for insight into the child's personality and perceptions. How do I choose a Play Therapist? Because play therapists work differently with children, it is very important that you choose a play therapist who is well-trained in play and in working with children. All mental health professionals have not been trained in the most appropriate ways to work with children's emotional problems. The Association for Play Therapy initiated a professional registration program in 1992 to verify the play therapy training earned by mental health professionals. Although play therapy, like other interventions, does not guarantee that all children can be helped, this program does document the play therapy education and training that a play therapist has completed. A play therapist who has successfully completed this program is easily identified by his/her professional designation as either a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) or Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S). These designees have received over 150 hours of play therapy instruction, completed a minimum of 500 hours of play therapy under supervision, and, to maintain their designation, must thereafter earn an additional 36 hours of continuing education every three years and maintain their primary professional mental health credential and/or license. Does your child need Play Therapy? In the process of growing up, children often experience difficulty coping at some time (at home, at school, with divorce and separation, with other children, etc.), or they exhibit behaviors which concern their parents or teachers. Some children may need more help than others in some areas. Generally, if you, your child's teacher, or pediatrician is concerned about your child's behavior or difficulty adjusting, play therapy may be the recommended approach to help your child. How do I prepare my child for Play Therapy? You may tell your child that s/he "will be spending time with (therapist's name) in a special playroom every week where there are toys to play with". If your child wants to know why s/he is going to the playroom, you may say something like, "When things are hard for you at home (or at school), sometimes it helps to have a special place to play." It is important for the child to feel safe in play therapy. Therefore, most play therapists engage in the concept of "confidentiality" which means that what children specifically say and do in play therapy will be kept confidential (exceptions include allegations of abuse or harm to self and others). The play therapist will involve the parent by sharing general themes, helpful responses, and progress in therapy with the parent as well as meet with the parent on a regular basis. This confidentiality allows children to feel that they can fully express themselves without being inhibited by the concern over their parents' reactions or feelings. Play therapists may also facilitate family therapy on a regular basis in which all or some family members may participate to work toward therapeutic success for the child. Important: The information contained herein should not be used as a substitute for medical or psychological care or the advice of a trained medical or mental health professional.