Play therapy uses play to help children deal with emotional issues.
Play therapy is an approach to counselling which uses art materials, toys and games in order to assist children to express their emotions, thoughts, feelings and anxieties.
Play therapy is generally used with children aged between 3 years and 13 years.
This is a type of therapy that allows children to use their natural medium of communication (play) to communicate with a therapist.
As children's experiences and knowledge are often communicated through play, it becomes an important way for children to work through emotional stress and trauma.
By playing with specially selected materials, and with the guidance of the therapist, the child is given the opportunity to play out his/her feelings, bringing these hidden emotions to the surface where he/she can face them and cope with them.
Play therapy is seen to help children to develop a better form of social integration, growth and development.