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Play therapy helps children:
•    Become more responsible for own behaviors and develop more successful strategies to handle various tasks and stressors
•    Develop new and creative solutions to problems.
•    Develop respect and acceptance of self and others.
•    Learn to experience, recognize and express emotion.
•    Cultivate empathy and respect for thoughts and feelings of others.
•    Learn new social skills and relational skills with family and friends.
•    Develop self-efficacy and belief in own abilities 

How Long Does Play Therapy Take?

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Each play therapy session can vary slightly vary in length but usually last about 50 minutes. Sessions are usually held weekly. Research suggests that it takes an average of 20 play therapy sessions to resolve the problems of the typical child referred for treatment. Of course, some children may improve much faster while more serious or ongoing problems may take longer to resolve (Carmichael, 2006; Landreth, 2002).

How is family involved in Play Therapy?

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Families play an important role in children's healing processes. The interaction between children's problems and their families is always complex. Sometimes children develop problems as a way of signaling that there is something wrong in the family. Other times the entire family becomes distressed because the child's problems are so disruptive. In all cases, children and families heal faster when they work together.

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You will be communicated with regularly about your child's progress. Joint sessions may be recommended if needed and other family members may be asked to participate (e.g. siblings).

Who can practice Play Therapy?

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The practice of play therapy requires extensive specialized education, training, and experience. A play therapist is a licensed mental health professional who has earned a Master's or Doctorate degree in a mental health field with considerable general clinical experience and supervision.

Association for Play Therapy. (n.d.). Play Therapy Makes a Difference. 

Retrieved from: https://www.a4pt.org/page/PTMakesADifference/Play-Therapy-Makes-a-Difference.htm

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