Play Therapy
“Toys are children’s words and play is their language” — Gary L. Landreth.
What is play therapy and how does it work? Important questions. Young children are building words and meaning as they learn communicate skills. When stressors occur, children may use challenging behaviors to communicate, or stop communicating. Often parents feel confused and out of options. Children’s behavior is a form of communication. Since children may not be able to communicate clearly about how they feel, or where they are struggling, play therapy provides a way for children to express, explore, and integrate those big feelings. Play therapy involves being with children as share and express the truth of their reality. Play therapy allows children time and space to integrate emotions through co-regulation, identifying themes, and working with parents to support their child’s growth.
I am a Certified Synergetic Play Therapist. Synergetic Play Therapy (2008) is a researched-informed model of play therapy blending the therapeutic power of play with nervous system regulation, interpersonal neurobiology, physics, attachment, mindfulness, and therapist authenticity. It grew from personal experience as well as research in neuroscience, Interpersonal Neurobiology, and attachment theory (see Badenoch, 2008; Porges, 2011; Schore, 1994; Siegel, 1999 for coverage of the ideas behind SPT). Preliminary research suggests that SPT significantly improves emotional tolerance and regulation (Dion & Gray, 2014; Simmons, 2020). For more detailed information please visit www.synergeticplaytherapy.com.
