HOW PLAY THERAPY WORKS
Play therapy is based on nearly a century of research in psychology and neuroscience.
Play therapy uses naturally and freely chosen creative activities to help connect controlled logical thinking with the uncontrolled subconscious. During such free play or activity, the brain releases hormones such as endorphins, oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin, which reduce stress, calm, induce a sense of happiness, and facilitate the creative thinking needed to solve problems and situations.
During play therapy, new neural connections are formed in the brain, allowing the child to find a new positive approach to dealing with life events.
The child learns to apply self-regulation in stressful situations and overcome them, which strengthens their self-confidence and resilience for other crisis situations.
WHO MANAGES THE THERAPEUTIC SESSION?
Child? Adult?
In a therapeutic workshop, the child chooses the free play or activity themselves. This increases their self-confidence, self-worth, self-assurance, self-esteem and, very importantly, intuition.
Free, adult-undirected activity or play is intrinsically, subconsciously motivated. It is unstructured, without a plan or goal, purely pursuing and fulfilling inner needs.
Child-directed free play is a process of natural learning, acceptance, and growth in all areas that a child must cover to become an overall harmonious being.
ABOUT PLAY THERAPY
Play is a child's language
There are many types of psychotherapy. Most of them are verbal. Expressing feelings through speech is closer to adults than to children. However, many children are unable or unwilling to talk about what is bothering them.
Play therapy, which is widespread around the world and used in over 1,800 primary schools in the UK, bridges the gap between children and adults. It uses creative activities and materials, along with other play tools, to help children communicate and express their inner emotions.
Play therapy allows children to connect their subconscious with their conscious through its kind, patient, and non-directive approach. Children who have undergone play therapy are able to communicate better, learn better self-control, improve their relationships with adults, and become more resilient to stress from the outside world.