Play Therapy isn’t Just Play.

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Play Therapy is not the same as regular, everyday play.  Play therapy is a systematic and therapeutic approach.  Play Therapists are licensed mental health professionals with extensive training, supervision, and education in Play Therapy. 

 

Research shows play therapy helps children experiencing problems such as those related to attention deficit emotional disorders, anxiety, grief and loss, divorce and family dissolution, academic and social development, among others.  Play therapy supports children in:

·         Becoming more accepting of self and others, 

·         Learning to experience and express emotion in healthy ways, 

·         Developing new and creative solutions, 

·         Increasing self-confidence, and

·         Fostering respect and empathy for others.

 

(Association for Play Therapy, 2019)

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In our well-equipped therapeutic play room, Deanne Lederer, MA, LPC,  brings unconditional acceptance and empathy to her work with children.  Grounded in child-centered play therapy theory, Deanne facilitates a safe relationship with the child and reflects the child’s feelings, helps develop positive self-direction, and supports building healthy coping skills.  She helps the child learn to express his or her feelings in acceptable ways that benefit the child.  Throughout the process, Deanne collaborates with parents to support the child’s progress and address concerns or situations in which parents would like help.