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Anneof 5
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| Posted: March 20 2009 at 7:40pm | IP Logged
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Has anyone here ever heard of play therapy? I met with a therapist who does this type of therapy with children and she encouraged me to explore more about it before deciding whether to try to it for my child. I thought it sounded rather interesting as children are not usually able to process "talk" therapy. I really liked her (very easy to talk to, thought my child would really connect with her) and a lot of what she had to say really made sense regarding my child. I am mainly concerned with anxiety type issues for a child who was exposed to substances in utero (adopted child)and has other learning and behavior issues as well. She is a licensed psychologist who practices in a reputable clinic in my area. Thanks!
Anne
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Carole N.
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| Posted: March 21 2009 at 4:09am | IP Logged
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My ds is seeing a counselor who uses play therapy. He has only had one session, but to my understanding, she felt it was a successful session. My ds is also adopted and has issues with learning and behavior as well.
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 Carole ... in Wales
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Milehimama
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| Posted: March 21 2009 at 9:33am | IP Logged
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My oldest went to play therapy a couple of times (Mood disorder NOS) but I didn't think it helped and I had major disagreements with the psychiatrist that oversaw the therapists (his answer? Ritalin. Even for kids without an ADD dx), so we quit.
My 23 month old has had play therapy for developmental and speech issues for the last 4 months and I think it has helped tremendously!
I think it really depends on your goals and your child's personality. I really wouldn't think talk therapy would be very helpful for a young child who doesn't have the vocabulary to express himself and who might follow "cues" from others to say what they want to hear, KWIM?
If you like the therapist, trust her, think she "gets" your child - it can't hurt to try!
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Waverley
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| Posted: March 27 2009 at 1:26pm | IP Logged
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I agree with Milehimama in that it depends on your goals for your child. It also depends on the age of the child and whether the therapist actively communicates to you what you should be doing at home to reinforce the skills being taught in play therapy.
I too have a child with issues and a similar background to what you describe for your child. We too tried play therapy. It alone was not enough for us. What did work for us was a combination of sessions where my child played with the therapist but also follow-up sessions with me alone where the therapist explained to me the coping techniques he was teaching to my daughter. I could then work to reenforce these strategies with her at home. He also gave me different tools to use to help her when she was experiencing difficulties at home.
Good luck to you.
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Anneof 5
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| Posted: March 27 2009 at 6:20pm | IP Logged
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Thanks, ladies for all of the feedback. We decided to go ahead and schedule our first few sessions. The first session is for the entire family in the "playroom" and then the next 2 or 3 are for ds (last 5-10 minutes is in the office with a parent and child). Every fourth session is for the parents alone to receive support for what is happening in the sessions and at home. They are supportive of homeschooling which is a huge relief for me after some previous anti-homeschooling experience. Our insurance will cover it til the end of the year as we have already met our deductible (it didn't take us long with 7 people in our family!) So I am praying it will all work out for the best for him.
Thanks again!
Anne
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LucyP
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Our 5o [adopted] son has play therapy, theraplay. It works well for attachment related stuff, and is very good for children like my DS who has no idea what he thinks and feels much of the time. I've also heard that NLP is good for children who can't yet process their own thoughts - my mum swears by it, but dh thinks it is nonsense!
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snowbabiesmom
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My oldest, now 12, did play therapy when she was 2 and only said about 5 words. I sat in the room with them and watched how she did it. She basically used A LOT of words explaining what was going on.." The blue block is on the top. " Pooh bear is going up the slide" etc... Her goal was to know and say more words. It helped her, but after only a few sessions, I decided to continue doing what she did at home only.
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Michiel
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| Posted: April 29 2009 at 9:07pm | IP Logged
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This is a little late, sorry. My DS, 8, was in play therapy when he was 4, 5, and 7. Depending on the therapist, it can be very good. He got a lot out of it, and also the therapist showed us how to use it at home. It was completely private for him, and then we met once a month, to discuss what issues were dealt with during the play. I think whenever my son has issues, he asks for the play therapy and gets it.
But he also had a not so good play therapist once, and that almost ruined the whole thing for him. you need to get someone who is not going to interfere with his play or direct it in any way, but just reflect what your child is doing, take notes, and then give guidance from that. Hope this helps.
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4Real Forums : Special Blessings
Topic: Play therapy??
