Reasons Why a Child Might Need Therapy:
Just as an adults can be shaken by life events and changes in life circumstances, a child's sense of safety and ability to cope can be impacted by the things that happen in their life. A move to a new city, the loss of a grandparent, or the divorce of her parents, can shake a child's balance, cause them to feel anxious, withdraw or act out.
Sometimes a child's behavior will change without a clear reason. Maybe she will suddenly be afraid to go to school, hit other children, or have nightmares. It can be hard for parents to understand why some of these behaviors are happening, and the child often can't explain it either. That might be just the time when therapy can help to decipher the cause of the behavior and identify change strategies and coping skills for you and your child.
Play Therapy, What is it?
The way children process their experiences is through various forms of play. They learn through play, they experiment with new behaviors, and they find meaning through play. For example a child who is pushing a truck in the sand box might seem to be "just playing". But in reality he is experiencing the tactile sensation of sand, testing the force required to move the toy through the sand, learning what if feels like to change his environment, and experiencing the anger of his playmate as the sand hits them in the face.
Play therapy often includes the use of art materials as a way for the child to express their feelings. This is especially useful for young children who have trouble expressing difficult emotions in words. It is also very effective for children and even adults who are trying to express early, pre-verbal experiences.
How Do Children React to Therapy?
Because therapy for children is play-based, most children enjoy this one-on-one time spent with a warm, attentive adult. Depending on the child's age they might be a bit shy at first, but if the parent conveys a calm and positive attitude towards the therapy situation this shy stage usually does not last long.
What age is it Appropriate to start therapy with a child?
Play therapy can be adapted for almost any age child. For example, with a four year old therapy might involve playing with puppets or play-dough or building things with blocks. A ten year old child might draw a picture of how they feel or write a story about a traumatic or difficult experience they had.
Sometimes, rather than or in addition to bringing the child in, therapy will involve bringing the parent(s) in for some coaching on how to work at home with the child on the behaviors or stressors
If you have questions about whether therapy might be helpful for your child feel free to call me at 408-410-5029 or email me mailto:roberta@fishonwheelstherapy.com for a free consultation.
Play Therapy, What is it?
The way children process their experiences is through various forms of play. They learn through play, they experiment with new behaviors, and they find meaning through play. For example a child who is pushing a truck in the sand box might seem to be "just playing". But in reality he is experiencing the tactile sensation of sand, testing the force required to move the toy through the sand, learning what if feels like to change his environment, and experiencing the anger of his playmate as the sand hits them in the face.
Play therapy often includes the use of art materials as a way for the child to express their feelings. This is especially useful for young children who have trouble expressing difficult emotions in words. It is also very effective for children and even adults who are trying to express early, pre-verbal experiences.
How Do Children React to Therapy?
Because therapy for children is play-based, most children enjoy this one-on-one time spent with a warm, attentive adult. Depending on the child's age they might be a bit shy at first, but if the parent conveys a calm and positive attitude towards the therapy situation this shy stage usually does not last long.
What age is it Appropriate to start therapy with a child?
Play therapy can be adapted for almost any age child. For example, with a four year old therapy might involve playing with puppets or play-dough or building things with blocks. A ten year old child might draw a picture of how they feel or write a story about a traumatic or difficult experience they had.
Sometimes, rather than or in addition to bringing the child in, therapy will involve bringing the parent(s) in for some coaching on how to work at home with the child on the behaviors or stressors
If you have questions about whether therapy might be helpful for your child feel free to call me at 408-410-5029 or email me mailto:roberta@fishonwheelstherapy.com for a free consultation.
