Young children are developing crucial skills and may struggle with anxiety, emotional regulation, ADHD and problems socializing appropriately with peers. The use of creative elements in play therapy is very common, and wherever possible, Jennifer enjoys integrating art, music, comic books, crafts, baking, etc. into her therapeutic approach. Research shows that kids are more dynamically engaged in the therapeutic process when their creativity is sparked.
Superhero therapy? A real thing. As Fred Rogers said so concisely: “For children, PLAY is serious learning.”
- Play therapy is a psychotherapy used to help children typically ages 3 – 12 years old explore their feelings, thoughts and emotions through play.
- Therapeutic play encourages free expression and allows the therapist to observe the child’s interests, decision-making processes and play style.
- The goal is to help children learn to express themselves in healthier ways, discover positive approaches to problem-solving, and to deal with more disturbing thoughts in a safe, therapeutic space.
CBT-based play therapy for young children is sometimes referred to as Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy (CBPT), an adaptation of CBT to be developmentally appropriate for children 3 – 8 years old. When indicated, CBPT can be integrated into a treatment plan to help develop stronger cognitive skills for regulating emotion and behavior. Learn more about CBT techniques and research here.
Mindfulness, a key element of CBT treatment, is already being utilized for kids as young as elementary age in school programs to help them alleviate stress and anxiety.
Read Bloom Therapy Blog for the latest on child development, play therapy and CBT.