Healing Through Play

Lighthouse for Families offers many services to our community, one of them being Play Therapy, a form of counseling in which play is used as a means of helping children communicate their feelings. Gary Landreth, founder and director of the Center for Play Therapy, says: “Toys are children’s words and play are their language.” Play is a natural way for kids to express themselves and assists them in understanding the world around them.

Our Play room is a bright and magical place within Lighthouse for Families. The room is filled with dozens of board games, card games, dolls, puppets, costumes, building blocks, markers, workbooks, etc. It is a child’s wonderland. Once lost in play, kids are able to relax, talk, and project their thoughts and feelings.

We asked some of our therapists and counselors how they have seen Play Therapy help the girls and boys we serve:

“I was working with a young boy who had experienced physical abuse. He continuously struggled with emotional outbursts and could not regulate himself. During our sessions he was extremely aggressive when playing with toys. I used toys to role model deep breathing, relaxation skills, and communicating emotions. After several months, he went from dumping out every toy and being aggressive with them to sitting down and playing appropriately. His behaviors at home and school began to dissipate and he was able to share his experiences with me in a way that was meaningful to him.”

“In working with a 4-year-old girl and her foster parents, she has been able to process trauma responses and learned how to regulate and co-regulate her emotions with her caregivers. Play Therapy has allowed her to make meaning of the traumatic experience and to manage reactions to trauma reminders.”

“I had a client with constant nightmares that made the bedtime routine difficult. He was afraid of kidnapping and break ins. He would have his parents check the doors, turn on the alarms, and would still not go to bed easily. Play Therapy allowed him to act out his dreams and anxious thoughts in a neutral place filled with affirmation and genuine positive regard for his emotions. As he acted out the dreams I would have him insert a superhero or a different ending to the nightmare. Eventually the nightmares ended and his anxiety lessened significantly.”

Play Therapy also helps the child’s caregivers. Our therapists/counselors encourage parents to engage in different types of play with their children to strengthen attachment and trust. Playing games with children can help instill a skill that will benefit them in the long run. Games like Red Light Green Light and Simon Says teaches and improves listening skills and following directions. It creates a fun activity and builds upon skills they need to be successful.

Playing often breaks down barriers, improves relationships, and creates a safe and motivating environment. Our therapists and counselors at Lighthouse for Families use Play Therapy to help young girls and boys heal. One of our therapists shared, “I love engaging with kids in play. It is an opportunity to see how life works through their eyes. I have been able to build trust with some difficult children because I take the time to engage them in the world they understand. It is an honor to watch disruptive behaviors calm and see effective communication start to happen. They will look at me for affirmation and get a smile on their face when I praise them for working so hard. I am just as excited to see them as they are to see me. The little ones almost always run in with a big smile and a huge hug because they want to be there. Kids are awesome and this job is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.”

Lighthouse for Families provides counseling for children, families, and individuals in Macon and Columbus, Georgia. For more information about our services go to www.themethodisthome.org/lighthouse-for-families!