Play Therapy

Play is the language of the child. Through play, children are able to express themselves beyond their verbal abilities. Children ages 3-12 have the opportunity to play out their feeling and express themselves through their natural modality. 

This short youtube video has a fun, but accurate explanation of Play therapy.  

APT Andrew video

Registered Play Therapists are Licensed Mental Health Professionals  with at least a Masters degree and clinical license. To become a RPT,  clinicians must meet requirements of the Association of Play therapy which include: 150 hours of continuing education, 35 hours of supervision of 350 play therapy sessions, and have at least 2 years and 2000 clinical hours of experiences. An RPT is not required to provide play therapy, but training is highly necessary. The association of play therapy only credentials mental health professionals and play based interventions by other professions are not recognized by the APT. For more information 

Children ages 3-12 can benefit from Play therapy. Like Psychology, Play Therapy has a number of theories of practice. For younger children, Casey utilized Child Centered Play therapy and for older children she utilizes an eclectic approach of Prescriptive, child centered, and expressive arts therapies.

Play therapy can benefit children  with:

• Emotional regulation and expression
• ADHD
• Anxiety
• Grief
• Life transitions
• Trauma
• Self Esteem and confidence
• Social development
• Home and school Behavioral challenges

For more information