Theraplay

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Theraplay is a child and family therapy that focuses on improving the child’s behavioral and emotional challenges through the parent-child relationship. In a session, I guide the parent and child through playful games, challenging activities and nurturing interactions. Theraplay helps the child experience previously difficult interactions in new ways, help overcome fear and increase trust, and creates positive change in the child’s sense of self. Theraplay helps the parent be attuned to the child, understand the motives of the child’s behavior and the underlying needs, manage environmental stimuli, and carefully guide the child in a safe place. Other therapies may work primarily with the child alone or work with parents on managing the child’s behaviors.  As a  trained Theraplay therapist, I think that the parent-child relationship is the most powerful and influential element for change. 

How does Theraplay differ from other types of child therapy?

· It directly involved the parent or caregivers

· It is active, interpersonal and fun-not “talk therapy”

· Progress can be made quickly

· It focuses on the “here and now” not what happened in the past

· Since it does not involve verbal or symbolic understanding, it can be used with very young children, children with developmental delays and child with traumatic experiences early in life

· The “Theraplay way” flows easily from clinical setting to the home for long term results

· Theraplay treatment is appropriate for all ages-infancy through adolescence

Theraplay has been used successfully to help children experiencing a variety of challenges:

· Acting out, angry or disruptive behavior

· Defiant or controlling behavior

· Shy, withdrawn or clingy behavior

· Depression

· Anxiety and selective mutism

· Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disorders

· Attention and hyperactivity concerns

· Social interaction difficulties

· A history of trauma or neglect

· Attachment issues due to adoption or multiple family placements

· Medical trauma

Information from The Theraplay Institute: General Information and Therapy Services brochure.