Play therapy: how to solve the psychological problems of a child without tears and pills
Miscellaneous / / April 03, 2023
Teach children to communicate freely and enjoy life.
What is play therapy
Play therapy is a method of psychotherapy for children aged 3–12, the main tool for solving psychological problems in which is a game. The fact is that, due to its development, the child does not always Maybe Express thoughts, feelings and emotions in words. The game helps to do this in a natural manner for him.
Maria Potapova
A game for a child is his speech, and toys are his words. In the game, the child expresses himself extremely sincerely. In the presence of a therapist, he learns to understand himself and others, can give vent to his feelings and get rid of negative experiences.
At the same time, play therapy is not just a fun pastime or an educational activity. It is a systematic process aimed at solving specific problems of the child.
According to a meta-analysis of 93 scientific studies, play therapy is effective corrects behavior, and also helps children to adapt in society and develop as a person.
What are the different types of play therapy?
There are quite a few of them. Here are the main parameters by which they differ.
Theoretical Orientation
The psychologist can use tools from different types of therapy. For example, in psychoanalytic approach, the specialist uses the game to unravel what is happening in the unconscious of a small patient.
In the cognitive-behavioral direction, the therapist teaches the child how to cope with anxiety and change maladaptive behavior to more appropriate, and in the humanistic - allows you to express yourself freely, helps to explore and understand your feelings and experiences, strengthens the feeling security.
Format
Play therapy can be both individual, when only the child and the therapist are present at the session, or group play. In the latter case, the psychologist can work with several children, as well as with the guys and their moms and dads.
For example, in child-parent relationship therapy, several families gather in a specially equipped play area. room and under the supervision of a psychologist learn to interact with each other, strengthen bonds and spend time with benefit.
Position of the therapist
Play therapy can be directive and non-directive.
The directive approach includes methods such as therapy, response game therapy, and a cognitive-behavioral approach. During classes, the psychologist directs the actions of the child, organizes games - sets the plot, selects suitable items that will help solve the problem, teaches you how to treat any events correctly.
Non-directive play therapy includes methods of centering on the child, experience therapy, trauma-centered integrated therapy, and the Jungian approach.
In such areas, the main thing in the game is the little patient. The therapist may observe him, support him, describe his actions, or interact with him in other ways, but always do so gently and unobtrusively.
This approach allows children to open up freely in a safe environment, and the therapist to understand the essence of the problem and help.
What problems does play therapy help with?
Game therapy applied for the following problems and conditions:
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder;
- various fears;
- psychosomatic diseases;
- aggressiveness, conflict behavior;
- depression;
- anxiety;
- problems with social adaptation, difficulties in communicating with other children or adults;
- poor academic performance associated with emotional problems;
- difficulties with adaptation to new life circumstances, for example, when changing the place of residence, educational institution, family composition;
- childish jealousy, for example, when a new family member appears;
- traumatic events, including the divorce of parents or the loss of a loved one.
How does play therapy work?
Classes are held in a specially equipped playroom with a certain set of toys and materials for creativity.
In the first lessons, the child gets to know the therapist and gets used to it. Even if the session involves one-on-one work, the presence of parents is acceptable at the beginning to minimize stress.
The specific content of the lesson depends on the method of therapy. The psychologist can allow the child to choose the game on his own and organize the therapeutic process around it, as well as apply certain techniques.
What games can be used in therapy
We present a few games that may teach your child to better understand their emotions.
Feelings and words
The therapist asks the child to list several feelings that a boy or girl of his age might experience. Everything that will be named is written on small cards. If the child is too young to read, the therapist can draw faces that express appropriate emotions.
Then the psychologist lays out the finished cards on the table and tells a story from his life. It can be any interesting incident that caused both positive and negative emotions in the therapist.
At the end of the story, he takes out a jar of chips and arranges them on cards on which the emotions mentioned in the story are written.
Then the psychologist recalls another incident from his life and invites the little client to point to suitable feeling words. After that, it's the child's turn to tell the story, and then lay out the chips on the cards.
Color life
The therapist asks what feelings the child associates with a certain color. For example, red - aggression, blue - sadness, black - melancholy, green - envy and so on.
After all pairs have been identified, the psychologist asks the child to draw a picture using these colors. It can be geometric shapes, ornament or something else - whatever comes to mind.
When the picture is ready, the therapist asks the child to talk about it.
ball of anger
The child inflates the balloon. The therapist ties it up and explains that the balloon itself is the body, and the air inside is anger.
The psychologist then asks the child, “Can the air of anger come out? What happens if this feeling gets stuck inside you? Will there be room for clear thinking?
The therapist then asks the child to press the balloon until it explodes and the "anger" comes out. The psychologist explains that an explosion is an act of aggression in which one can harm oneself or others.
The therapist then asks the child to consider if there is a safe way to release the anger. They inflate another balloon, but do not tie it, but release the air in small portions.
After a visual demonstration, you can move on to specific anger management techniques.
How long should play therapy take?
In a meta-analysis of research on play therapy notedthat deep changes require about 35 sessions, although some problems can be solved much faster.
According to Maria Potapova, a typical therapy cycle for sustainable results includes 16-18 sessions. But depending on the request, more or fewer sessions may be required.
How to try play therapy
Find a specialist in play therapy in your city, sign up for a consultation and tune in to work together in advance.
It doesn't matter which classes you choose - group or individual - for a good effect, in any case, the active participation of parents will be required. After all, a child comes to a specialist once a week for 45-60 minutes, and spends the rest of the time in the family.
Maria Potapova
Each parent is able to become a therapist to their child, master the techniques and conduct home play sessions, harmonize relationships and help children in solving psychological difficulties.
The psychologist will provide you with feedback on the sessions, answer questions, and teach you play therapy tools to use at home.
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