What is Play Therapy?

Play Therapy refers to different types of treatment and assessment methods that make use of a child's natural ability to play.  Younger children often do not have the ability to communicate effectively through language, and play affords them the opportunity to engaged with a therapist in a non-threatening way.  Older children sometimes cannot address their problems directly and play therapy helps them to express themselves in a way that allows them to "save face" and feel safe.  Ultimately, the therapist's goal is to help a child express his or her thoughts and feelings and support and guide them in finding healthy solutions to their problems.  These will hopefully become pat of a child's coping resources as they go on to face other challenges in their lives.

Play is the language of children.  Play therapy is a well researched mode of psychotherapy for children, adolescents and adults that allows them to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a playful, developmentally appropriate way.  Registered Play Therapists use specific language and play techniques which facilitate a client's ability to: build frustration tolerance, increase attention span, develop impulse control, learn, communicate, process, grow, express, create, problem solve, develop confidence, and meet their ultimate potential.   Individual, family or parent-child therapy is available.  Together with parents, my goal is to provide training on how to effectively use positive discipline and both manage and understand difficult behaviors.

Angie is a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor and a member of the Association for Play Therapy.

Call 314.302.9102 for an appointment today!

Angie Hoffman, LPC
6220 South Lindbergh Blvd, Suite 300 Saint Louis, MO 63123
Phone: 314.302.9102
Email: [email protected]