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| Frequently Asked Questions |
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| How long will it take to see improvement? |
| While it is impossible to predict exactly how many sessions will be needed to resolve a particular child's problems, it can be said that in most cases, 15 to 20 sessions are sufficient. Sometimes, if the child has experienced trauma or is extremely anxious, for instance, the time in therapy may be longer. |
| How will my child learn to control his behavior if he is allowed to do whatever he wants in the playroom? |
| How can you tell if my child is making progress in therapy? |
| Your child will be given a great deal of freedom to express feelings and thoughts in the playroom, but there are limits to this freedom. Children may not engage in behavior that is potentially harmful to themselves or the therapist. They may not purposely damage or destroy the playroom toys. They may not stay longer than their allotted time. Children have many opportunites in the playroom to test limits, and learn to regulate their behavior. |
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| Children in play therapy go through a series of stages in the process of healing. In the beginning, your child will be feeling out the relationship with the therapist, and exploring the many opportunites for self-expression. The next stage of play is the working stage, when your child will be struggling with the thoughts and feelings at the root of his or her distress. Eventually, your child will gain a sense of control over these thoughts and feelings. When this happens, your child will be in the final stage of therapy, the mastery stage. Once that happens, it will be time to count down to the final playroom session. This gives a child time to revisit any problems or concerns that may feel unfinished. It also gives the child an opportunity to explore and resolve any feelings of loss or abandonment that can occur when a relationship is ending. |
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| Who can benefit from CCPT? |
| This approach works very well for children ages 3 to 12, who are having emotional and/or behavioral problems at home or in school. Some of the specific benefits of this mode of therapy include: helping the child understand and express deepest thoughts and feelings, increasing a sense of self-responsibility, and increasing a sense of self as worthwhile, likable, and capable. |
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| How is play therapy different from everyday play? |
| The value and function of play is the same in both cases -- it provides a child opportunities to explore and resolve inner tensions, conflicts, or struggles. In play therapy, the child's play is facilitated by a therapist who provides validation, and an atmosphere of safety and acceptance. When children are experiencing emotional conflicts, their play can appear bizarre or disturbing. Outside of therapy, this type of play is usually suppressed or redirected into more socially acceptable behavior. In the playroom, this type of play is accepted and seen as therapeutic. |
| Do you have a question that is not covered here? Email me at bhiggins@earthlink.net |
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