Play By the Bay ~ Bellingham Play Therapy

What is Play Therapy?

One of the nation's most effective and popular treatment methods for young children, play therapy extends the language of child thus enhancing their ability to communicate. Children communicate primarily through association and metaphor. In therapeutic play, or symbolic play, play is the child's language and the toys are their words. Play is a child's work; children learn almost everything while playing.

A carefully constructed playroom, filled with toys carefully chosen for their therapeutic value, provides children as young as 2.5 years old with a safe and natural avenue for self-expression. As your child engages in therapeutic play, issues are resolved from within the strength and empowerment of the child, freeing the child to master the situation or emotion she came into tackle with so much courage.

It takes courage for a child to enter a playroom, whether his issue is a bully at school, school or homework refusal, divorce, separation by distance or death, adoption, bonding & attachment, ADHD, social/emotional or academic, depression, anxiety or other developmental challenges, play therapy is especially appropriate for children ages 2.5 to 12 years to master these challenges.

The play therapy experience, with a supportive parent and a skilled, highly trained Registered Play Therapist, will help to increase your child's self-esteem, self and other respect, awareness of boundaries, increase social skills, mastery over emotions, increase empathy and self-motivation, while creating a happier child and happier family.