Play therapy: theoretical principles, uses and application

When we are adults, most of the population is able to express their concerns, feelings, ideas, beliefs, fears and insecurities through language.

We can do this because we have sufficient cognitive capacity to conceptualize and express abstract aspects orally and we understand what is happening to us. This may not happen in the case of a boy or girl, since it is possible that he fully understands reality or does not know or dares to express it directly. This is what happens, for example, with children who have experienced situations such as sexual abuse or domestic violence.

Fortunately, it is possible through play therapy that this type of population can express their fears and conflicts in an indirect way. Next we will see what this form of psychological intervention consists of.

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Play as an element of communication and expression

If we observe a group of lions, a group of apes or even a group of people it is frequent that we see how it is frequent that, especially among the younger members, actions and behaviors appear that apparently do not have an intentionality directed at a specific objective beyond that of have fun. In other words, in a large number of species it is common to see gambling behaviors.

While some people may think that playing is just a waste of time, the truth is that the game is of fundamental importance, especially in the development period. And it is that this type of actions allow us to exercise and train our body and our mind and develop different capacities such as cognition, psychomotor skills and communication between individuals.

In human beings, play helps reduce the level of tension and increases the ability to link to our environment, being helpful to learn to relate and at the same time apply and improve our cognitive, emotional and social. In addition, it allows us to express the contents of our mind such as things we live, fears and insecurities that remain in our mind, desires and impulses.

There have been multiple experts who have noticed this fact and have established that from the game it is possible to establish mechanisms and techniques that allow analyzing and helping to treat different problems. These techniques can be used in so-called play therapy.

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Play therapy

Play therapy is a method used in Psychology for the analysis and treatment of patients' problems, generally in the case of children or subjects with neurodevelopmental disorders or severe intellectual disability.

It is based on the use of the game as an element of communication, thanks to which the patient can express his emotions and experiences in a symbolic way. It not only serves as a mechanism of expression, but also allows the subject process and work the information at a conscious level and even elaborate and / or learn ways to deal with them. Its operation is apparently simple, but it requires a high level of observation by the professional and the ability for the subject to feel safe and supported.

It is generally applied in a constant way and more or less close in time, such as sessions weekly at the doctor's office, school or even at the subject's own home in a generally individual. The therapist can carry out the session in a directive way (directing the games) or non-directive if the minor's free play is allowed.

Materials and toys are previously selected that allow the minor to express themselves and from which to establish symbolismssuch as puppets, animals, toy houses, building elements, clay or plasticine, or musical instruments.

The information that can be extracted from the game is a lot. In addition to the symbolism that the subject prints to the game, other aspects that can give data of interest are the tendency to use specific games or to act in a certain way During them, if the minor includes the therapist in the game or ignores him or if he resumes the games of the previous sessions or, on the contrary, starts a new game, these may be aspects to assess.

If creative elements are used, it is also relevant if at the end of the game you try to preserve them or that the therapist preserve them or destroy them. The significance of all these aspects will depend on the case.

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Features and benefits of play therapy

Through this type of therapy, the aim is to facilitate the expression of emotions and situations that the minor encounters difficult to express in words, either due to the trauma involved or the lack of sufficient linguistic ability to it. For this, the game is used, through which can express their emotions, feelings and experiences in a symbolic way.

The context of play also supposes a positive climate that can favor the interaction of the therapist with the less, establishing a positive rapport that allows the patient to feel safe and trust the professional.

In addition, the professional's participation in the game (which must be done from the minor's perspective and direction) allows the The patient not only expresses himself, but can observe and acquire new behaviors and ways of seeing reality that by himself could not arise. It is useful for training social and emotional skills.

Finally, this type of therapy helps the patient to, in addition to expressing what happened, be able to process it to later work on it, as well as promote their resilience or resistance to adversity and help you use adaptive coping mechanisms and strategies.

Types of activities carried out

There is a high degree of heterogeneity in the activities that may end up being carried out in a play therapy session. The specific type of activity will depend on the needs and preferences of the minor. Between the most frequent techniques and recreational activities We can find different types of methods, of which some examples are presented below.

1. Toys based on symbolic expression

Using a dollhouse or symbolic elements such as a kitchen often causes children to act out situations similar to those in the home. In addition, the use of stuffed animals and toy animals is frequent from which the child can play freely and introduce the therapist while explaining what is happening.

2. Dramatization

Role play and the use of costumes also allow minors to express their internal concerns from the theatrical performance. Imitation games or simulating concrete situations can serve not only as a mechanism of expression, but also as exposure to conflictive situations and as modeling to learn how to act in the face of they.

3. Methods linked to body expression

These types of methods are especially important in the case of subjects who avoid or seek excessive physical contact. Within this group of techniques we can include dance, imitation or games in which fights or struggles are represented (for example, using toy swords).

4. Methods related to artistic creation and construction

Drawing, painting and the use of clay or plasticine are also frequent in the use of play therapy, offering valuable information and allowing the expression of their psyche. Other games that are usually used are those in which the patient has to elaborate or build something.

You can tell a story from visual elements that are presented to you (for example, presenting certain objects or drawings), use stories, or use building elements such as LEGO figures or puzzles.

Situations and problems in which it is suitable

Play therapy can be used in a wide variety of problems and disorders of diverse nature, and in fact it is used in many fields of intervention.

Some disorders and situations in which it can be very useful is in the presence of emotional disturbances, anxiety, panic or low self-esteem. Children who have experienced traumatic events such as sexual abuse, violence Intrafamily, abandonment of one or both parents, bullying or deaths of loved ones can express and process their feelings and experiences with this type of therapy. It is also useful to process, express the emotions that provoke and work on phenomena such as parental divorce, changes of address or financial precariousness.

Finally, it is also of great help in children with communication problems and minors who present disorders such as ADHD, obsessions, autism, eating disorders or mood disorders such as depression.

In general, this type of therapy causes a decrease in fear and anxiety, an increase in the feeling of control, self-confidence and social skills, and the generation of new perspectives and coping strategies, in addition to a substantial improvement in mood.

Bibliographic references:

• Landreth, G.L. (1991). Play Therapy. New York.