Insight Counseling Center

   ....healing from within

 Play Therapy

Roxanne Grobbel has extensive experience counseling young children in a variety of settings and is a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor.  Jane Robinson and Roxanne Grobbel have co-authored a chapter, "Play Therapy Techniques with Very Young At-Risk Children in Child Care Settings", published in the book Play Therapy with Very Young Children.

Roxanne believes in the power of play therapy as a way for children to work through problems, learn appropriate responses and become socially and emotionally well.  Parents and educators acknowledge that for most young children verbal communication, especially regarding problems, is very difficult.  Through play therapy, Insight Counseling provides a way for children to "talk" about their problems in a nonverbal way.

 What is "Play Therapy"?

Play therapy is to children what talk therapy is to adults. Children, even those who are talkative, express themselves more easily and completely through their play. Children often have difficulty understanding and expressing emotions.  Child-centered play therapy gives children a safe, nonjudgmental place to express their thoughts and feelings. In the playroom, toys, games and activities are used like words. Children are able to develop problem-solving skills, assume responsibility, practice self-control, rehearse experiences, engage in self-discovery, develop communication and social skills and build relationships. Play therapy allows children the opportunity to work through, heal, and move past the difficulties in their young lives.

Who can provide play therapy for my child?

Only a trained professional should provide this service for you and your child. "Registered Play Therapists" hold a masters level mental health degree (Masters Degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling or Marriage and Family) and have under gone extensive training and supervision to become certified by the Association for Play Therapy and must . Some questions to ask that may help you in choosing a professional are:

·        Are you a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) or a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor (RPT-S)?
·    What is your training as a mental health professional?
·        Are you licensed?
·        What mental health degree(s) have you earned?
·        Have you received formal education in working with children?
·        Have you received formal play therapy education?
·        What method of therapy do you use to work with children?

 When does a child need therapy?

As children grow they 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 parents or teachers.  Generally, if a parent, a child's teacher, or pediatrician is concerned about a child's behavior or difficulty adjusting, play therapy may be the recommended approach to help a child.

 Why Play in Therapy?

 Through play, children

Play is the "language" with which children first communicate to others. Play is, therefore, the most effective vehicle through which adults can understand and guide children.  When there is a lack of emotional or social skills children learn more positive behaviors through play . Children's play is their most powerful tool for learning and growing.

 How will Play Therapy benefit my child?

Children benefit from Play Therapy in many ways. Research supports the effectiveness of Play Therapy with children experiencing a wide variety of social, emotional, behavioral, and learning problems, including: post-traumatic stress, conduct disorder, aggression, anxiety/fearfulness, depression, ADHD, impulsivity, low self-concept, reading difficulties and social withdrawal.  It has been used successfully with children whose problems are related to life stressors; such as, divorce, death, relocation, hospitalization, chronic illness, physical/sexual abuse, domestic violence and natural disasters.  – Association for Play Therapy

 How long will it take to resolve the problems? 

As with any counseling or therapy, it is often difficult to determine the exact number of sessions which will be needed to resolve problems or issues. Of course, some children will improve faster and others with more complex or on-going problems may take longer.  Insight Counseling is committed to providing comprehensive counseling until all issues are resolved.

 How does play therapy work?

Play therapy provides children a secure environment to safely confront their problems and find creative solutions.  Often children’s “problem behavior” is what they have come to believe is their only option for solving their problems or seeking help. Play therapy allows them to change the way they perceive their problems, understand emotions and act in a more appropriate effective way to resolve their problems.

  How do parents talk with their children about their therapy sessions?

It is important not to pressure children to talk about their sessions. Therapists will talk openly with parents about anything that takes place in sessions relating to  children's safety or any other important information. Remember that children are given privacy in order to allow for self-expression. It is important to remember that progress takes time and children must be allowed to work at their own pace in order to build a trusting therapeutic relationship.

What is filial therapy?

Parents often come to us feeling helpless, not knowing where to turn and lacking the ability to help their children.  Insight Counseling Center strives to help strengthen the relationships within the family and through filial therapy we help parents help their children by becoming "therapeutic agents".

Filial Therapy is a highly effective, evidence-based intervention that integrates family therapy and play therapy to address child and family problems. Parents are taught to become “therapeutic agents” for their children, learning play therapy techniques and limit setting. Strong relationships within the family contribute to the overall adjustment of children and parents alike. Many common child and family difficulties, including severe ones, can be overcome by building strong healthy relationships among family members. Eventually, the therapeutic play sessions move to the home setting and parents use the skills they have learned in the home. Filial therapy has been used successfully with many child and family problems including: anxiety, abuse/neglect, depression, traumatic events, attachment difficulties, foster care and adoption, divorce, family reunification, oppositional behaviors, chronic medical illness, and others.