Play Therapy

Play Therapy is the practice of meeting children at their developmental level to bring about change through play. Play  Therapy uses both directed and open-ended play to encourage the creative process within a psycho-therapeutic relationship. A Play therapist is a licensed therapist who has specialized training to use intentional toys with open ended and directed play. Play Therapists use specific trauma informed and culturally inclusive toys and play therapy supplies to facilitate their sessions. Mosaic offers Tallahassee play therapy services that are trauma informed and culturally inclusive. 

Play therapy is helpful for infants, children, & even teens. It can also be helpful for adults with developmental delays. Play therapy is helpful in addressing anxiety, depression, trauma and emotional behavioral issues in children. A Registered Play therapist meets a child at their developmental level, so play therapy is a good fit for both neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals. Play therapy can also be a great fit for a parent—child session to give parents new tools and promote attachment. 

Did  you  know  children  actually learn  through  play? Play is actually the universal first language. Play therapy is founded in the research that a child creates new pathways in the brain as they play and that children communicate their needs and emotions through play. Children can problem solve, roll play, and experiment safely in their play. Play Therapists offer a space for children to create a sense of autonomy and develop new coping skills. Play therapy actually reaches children in a way that traditional talk therapy falls short. 

A Play Therapist is a licensed therapist or counselor who receives specialized training and certification in play therapy. This specialized knowledge helps them understand what toys and supplies to use in play therapy sessions. They learn how to utilize play in a trauma informed and culturally inclusive way. After this specialized training a Play Therapist must pursue the Registered Play Therapit’s™ credential through extensive supervision, clinical hours, and continued education. A trained play therapist can facilitate a play therapy session with both direct or open ended play to help children process and grow. Play therapists are experts in helping children overcome, grow and change through play.