PLAY THERAPY HELPS!

Research reveals that play therapy can help children facing many difficult situations. Play therapy can help children facing the following problems:

• Learning problems
• Behavioral problems
• Mental Illness
• Grief due to loss, including parental divorce
• Phobias, such as school phobia
• Emotional problems
• Post Traumatic Stress
• Abuse
• Anxiety
• Low self esteem
• Shyness
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder
• Coping with normal life stressors such as hospitalization, chronic illness, accidents, natural disasters

Our Services > Play Therapy

Play Therapy

COUNSELING CHILDREN THROUGH THERAPEUTIC PLAY

Play is children’s work. Through play children explore the world. Children also learn about themselves through play. Children learn to master skills and try out new behaviors through play. Children learn the difference through fantasy and reality when they play. In their play with others, children learn socialization skills and how to interact successfully with others. Children communicate about their world through play.

PLAY THERAPISTS

A play therapist is a trained mental health professional with additional clinical training in working with children and the use of therapeutic play. In addition, mental health professionals are licensed by the State of Illinois.

HOW PLAY THERAPY HELPS CHILDREN

Counselors use play therapy in working with children for many different reasons. Play is how children express themselves. Play is fun, and the child will relax in counseling and enjoy the experience. When children do not have the words to explain their problems, their play can communicate powerfully to the counselor what the child is having difficulties with in life. Play is louder than words for children.

HOW LONG DOES PLAY THERAPY LAST

Like other kinds of psychological help, the length of time for counseling depends of the child, and the problems the child is facing. After an initial evaluation, the play therapist in conjunction with the parent develops a treatment plan and the recommended number of counseling sessions.

FAMILY THERAPY

The child’s family plays a vital role in healing. When a child is having problems the whole family can be affected. The play therapist will involve the family in the treatment of the child. In addition, the counselor can offer additional help with parenting concerns, parental stress, and life difficulties that may be affecting the entire family.

MAKING AN APPOINTMENT FOR YOUR CHILD

To make an appointment for your child, simply call Sandra Carlson and Associates to schedule and evaluation with the play therapist Christine Walawander, MS Ed. Appointments are scheduled to accommodate the demands on busy families. Insurance is filed by Sandra Carlson and Associates Counseling Services. Flexible payment plans are also offered.

To schedule an appointment call 630-771-0144