6 surprising facts about play & creative arts therapy

Perhaps you only just heard of Play Therapy or you’ve never quite understood why it’s beneficial for children who are struggling? In honour of National Play Therapy week in the USA, here are quick 6 key surprising features of play & creative arts therapy that many don’t know about! 

1. Play taps into the deep emotions.

Play is one of the deeply embedded motivational circuits (located in the brain stem and limbic system). We all love to learn through play. The play circuit lives deep in the brain in the same regions that process emotion and our non conscious responses such as breathing, heart rate and hormonal regulation. A child’s brain develops with the play drive as a top priority (which shows it’s importance for further development). Play therapists meet the child where they are at in terms of their emotional experience when it gets triggered through playful exploration. The therapist will co-regulate with the child and work creatively to make sense of their feelings using children's natural language, which is play of course! Through play, play therapists tap into the emotional life of the child by activating the same regions of the brain.

2. Play therapy changes the brain

The brain is plastic and is moulded by our experiences. The brain is most plastic during childhood and the teenage years. Thankfully, with a skilful play therapist, the child’s brain can re-wire itself through the new positive experiences in the playroom. By keeping a consistent safe relationship and environment contained in the playroom, play therapists strengthen these new neural pathways in the brain. The child gets to experience the feeling of safety and connection and gains a sense of inner security. We first need to experience safety and security before we can tolerate uncertainty in the outside world and become resilient. Play therapy helps a child integrate implicit and explicit memory, the neo cortex and subcortical brain, the left hemisphere and right hemisphere along with many other areas. An integrated brain is key for mental wellness.

3. Play is instinctive and comes in many forms.

Painting, dancing, banging a drum, moulding clay, creating a story in a sand tray. These activities are all self generated and self rewarding. It's not about the outcome but about being in the moment. So sharing a story, using puppets, role playing in fancy dress, stomping in shaving foam, or even fiddling with a pen can all be included ! They all fall under play. Play is one of the primitive emotional circuits in our brain and it is essential for development.

4. Children learn from play but we do not directly teach. 

A common misconception is that play & creative arts therapists teach their clients how to play better. Although there is a time and place for being directive, most of the time we are non-directive which means we let the child lead. We facilitate the child to learn about themselves and see their actions and emotions in a new light. Children choose and learn for themselves. As a therapist & in my personal life I've found the real lasting changes people make come from within rather than because someone told them to change. 

Self awareness, problem solving, self-regulation, motor skill mastery, storytelling, empathy and self esteem are just some of the magnificent lessons that children can learn from play therapy.

5. Play therapy is all about the relationship. 

The most crucial factor for effective therapy is the relationship between the child and therapist not the toys or the variety of play. The relationship can take some time to build depending on the child and circumstances. The feeling of safety is paramount for the child to dare to deeply explore their inner world. Play therapists are trained and experienced at building this sense of trust. 

6. Play allows greater understanding and insight.

This applies directly to the child but also to the parent and family. You’ll see your child in a new light. Many parents tell me that after working with me they learn new things about their child. Plus they often reflect on their own childhoods. Parents enjoy reframing their child's behaviour after regular checkins with the therapist. A child who feels fully seen and understood will be more willing to be co-operative, empathetic to others, confident and resilient.

So how many did you already know about? Which one surprised you or which one had never occurred to you before?

Perhaps you knew them all already? Either way they are quite impressive for something that on the surface looks like just “mucking about” (That’s the favourite term from teen clients!)

Tell the world! Spread awareness of Play Therapy to schools, parents, medical & community centres. Too many children don’t have access to play therapy who truly need it.

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Check out the play therapy register for UK registered play and creative arts therapists in your area.

www.playtherapyregister.org.uk  For the USA, check out www.a4pt.org

Tell us in the comments.... What are you up to to celebrate Play Therapy Week!?

Playful High Fives!