Theraplay improves the child’s behaviour and emotional state by strengthening the parent-child relationship. The Theraplay therapist guides the parent and child through playful, fun games, developmentally challenging activities, and tender, nurturing activities. The very act of engaging each other in this way helps the parent regulate the child’s behaviour and communicate love, joy, and safety to the child. It helps the child feel secure, cared for, connected and worthy.
We call this “building relationships from the inside out”.
• It directly involves the parents or caregivers
• It is active, interpersonal and fun—not “talk therapy”
• Progress can be made quickly
• It is based upon research by experts that shows the parent-child relationship is at the core of healthy development
• It focuses on the “here and now”, not what happened in the past
• Because it does not involve verbal or symbolic understanding, it can be used with very young children or children with developmental delays
• The “Theraplay way” flows easily from the clinical setting to the home for long- term results
• Theraplay treatment is appropriate for all ages—infancy through adolescence.
Theraplay has been used successfully to help children with a wide variety of problems:
• Acting-out, angry or disruptive behaviour
• Defiant or controlling behaviour
• Shy, withdrawn or clingy behaviour
• Attachment issues due to adoption or multiple family placements
• A history of trauma or neglect
• Development disorders (Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorders)
• ADD/ADHD
• Behavioural problems at school or with peers
Most importantly, if you feel stuck in a negative dynamic with your child, feel helpless to deal with your child’s challenges, or despairing of ever having a normal, healthy relationship with your child—you can benefit from Theraplay.