What is Play Therapy?

Play Therapy is a theoretical model of therapy that helps children, with the aid of a trained play therapist, prevent problems, resolve behavioral difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development. It’s a form of psychotherapy, and it uses play based materials, such as toys, crafts, and games to help children achieve optimal mental health. It’s a great way for a therapist to observe where the child is at developmentally and see what the child is communicating with their play. Are they communicating life experiences, are they expressing their emotions? Most children are not able to explain their feelings through words, so how they play is their language. Play is the most natural way for children to communicate. They don’t need to struggle with words; they can show the therapist through the toys, crafts and activities.

At Southlake Counseling we are so proud to have our amazing Play Therapist, Julie Callahan. Before Julie was a Therapist, she was an educator and certified school counselor. She knew how children learned about life, try on adult roles and play out their feelings through their play. When she became a Therapist, she knew she wanted to work with children because she understood them through a developmental perspective. She knew that Play Therapy was a perfect treatment approach for children. It was a natural transition to go from teaching and counseling children to providing therapy services for children, and also working closely with their parents and caregivers.

This summer at Southlake Counseling we are offering a Kid’s Craft & Emotional Regulation Camp! Using the best parts of Play Therapy, kids will use crafts, toys and activities to learn new skills in conversation, learn how to get along better with friends and peers, and emotional regulation.

Kid’s Craft Camp is Friday’s in July and August. Contact Southlake Counseling for more info at 704-896-7776. And check out Julie’s Bio here!

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