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Play Therapy Calgary

Play Therapy In Calgary

Play therapy in Calgary is a specific type of therapy that utilizes play in order to help children communicate their thoughts, feelings and emotions. Through the use of games, toys, art supplies and other child-friendly materials therapists can get a better idea of what is going on inside a child’s mind as well as foster creativity, teamwork, cooperation and problem solving skills.

Childhood trauma, abuse and neglect impacts physical, emotional, cognitive and social development. The impact of trauma on a child has a profound effect on the way they see themselves and others. Play therapy can help reverse these effects whether the trauma occurred far in the past or in recent months. Play therapy is also effective in supporting children who are diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, autism and those with developmental delays.

The counsellors at Virtuous Circle Counselling provide children and youth in Calgary with a nurturing and compassionate environment to build upon their well-being. Your child will explore ways to manage difficult thoughts, feelings, and behaviours through the process of play therapy. Active participation in the therapeutic process allows us to help your child better understand themselves and their relationships with others. This fosters a positive sense of self that is needed along with the tools to thrive. If you are interested in learning more about play therapy and its benefits, please contact Virtuous Circle Counselling today!

Who Is Play Therapy For?

Play therapy is something that both children and adults can benefit from. Children are especially appropriate for this type of therapy because they are still developing their skills at expressing themselves and dealing with the world around them. As adults, we already have these highly developed skills, so it’s less likely for us to be as greatly impacted by the techniques taught in play therapy, although some therapists will use this with adults who find it difficult to express themselves verbally.

Because play is such a powerful form of expression, play therapy can be an effective option for children dealing with a range of emotional and behavioural issues, including: 

 

  • ADHD;
  • Anxiety; 
  • Autism spectrum disorders (ASD); 
  • Eating disorders;
  • Depression; and 
  • Trauma-related issues. 

 

Children do not need to exhibit serious problems in order to benefit from this therapy approach. Rather, it is often helpful to engage in play therapy when children are dealing with day-to-day stresses or conflicts that they may not be able to verbalize or understand on their own. If you notice your child struggling after returning home from preschool or school, acting out at home, or confronting difficult emotions and feelings that seem difficult to manage alone, then speak with a member of the Virtuous Circle Counselling team about making an appointment for professional help via play therapy.

Play Therapy Calgary

What Happens In Play Therapy?

Play therapy in Calgary is a therapeutic form of psychotherapy that uses play, creativity, art and imagination as a means of communication and expression, with the intention of helping children express themselves and improve their emotional well-being. The goal of this intervention is to help children develop social skills and solve problems within their immediate environment. 

During play therapy sessions, children are encouraged to engage in a variety of activities such as drawing, painting, sculpting or building with blocks or LEGOs. The play therapy process unfolds as the counsellor watches for opportunities that arise from the drawings, paintings and other activity products created by the children. These opportunities are used as vehicles to draw out important information about the child’s thoughts and feelings that may otherwise be difficult for them to express.

When it comes to play therapy, an important part of the treatment involves creating a trusting, nurturing relationship between the therapist and the child. It’s in this relationship that children learn to cope with the struggles in their lives. Play therapy gives kids space to deal with these struggles in a way that feels safe and fun, and ultimately helps children better understand their emotions and develop into well-adjusted, healthy adults. If you have questions about how play therapy works or whether it’s right for your family, please don’t hesitate to contact Virtuous Circle Counselling today or at (587) 856-8369.

Calgary Play Therapist

Play Therapy For Children By VC Counselling

Thanks to its nonverbal nature, play therapy allows a participant (in this case, the child) to more directly explore issues as they relate to their life, while having an outlet to express and explore these issues. Although play therapy is often considered a younger client’s modality, it can also be beneficial for older clients who do not respond well emotionally or intellectually with traditional talk therapy and/or who need a sensitive and flexible approach. With that in mind, if you are looking for ways to improve your child’s self-esteem and your relationship with him or her, consider partnering with a play therapist in Calgary.

Whether your child needs help adjusting to a new school, dealing with the loss of a loved one, or learning to cope with a disability, our counsellors are here to help. Play therapy can serve as an effective way for therapists and children to work together and find their way through even the toughest situations. From difficult behaviour problems to anxiety and depression, there is help for your child at VC Counselling. Call today for an appointment and get your family on the road to recovery.

Play Therapy Counselling Questions

Children who have experienced trauma or loss may benefit from play therapy because it allows them to express their feelings in a safe environment where they aren’t judged. Play therapists help these children identify the root causes of their problems so they can find appropriate ways of dealing with them — such as through relaxation techniques or communication exercises that will improve their relationships with family members or teachers.

Play therapy works best for children ages 3-12, but there are no firm limits on who can benefit from it. Play therapy can help children of all ages and developmental stages. While younger children may benefit the most, older children and teenagers also enjoy the benefits of play. If you’re interested in using play as a therapeutic technique, don’t let your concerns about a child’s age stop you from exploring this option.

Play therapy can be used to improve emotional regulation in children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anxiety disorders like OCD and PTSD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, social phobias and other mood disorders, behavioural disorders such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD), academic or social developmental disorders including dyslexia or other learning disabilities, physical diseases like cancer or diabetes, and even stress-related physical conditions like headaches or stomach aches.

Book Your Appointment Online

We are currently accepting new clients however being a good fit is everything in a therapeutic alliance. When you’re ready, please contact us for a free 30-minute phone consultation to see if we match your needs and goals.

We at Virtuous Circle Counselling acknowledge Moh’kinstsis, the lands where the Bow and Elbow rivers meet, in what we currently call Calgary. We acknowledge that we are visitors on Moh’kinsstis and acknowledge the Blackfoot are those who named this area as Moh’kinsstis. In the spirit of Truth and Reconciliation, we recognize the ancestral territories, cultures, and oral practices of the Blackfoot people, the Îyarhe Nakoda Nations, the Dene people of the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.