The first thing people notice when they walk into my office is that it's a playroom. Sandtray and sandtray figures, toys and different types of art supplies welcome you and let you know that this is a place where your language is spoken.
Kids see a therapist for many reasons. Maybe you and your parents are spending a lot of time arguing about homework, keeping your room clean, or getting along with your brother or sister. There are kids who see a therapist because their family has changed - maybe their parents got divorced or remarried, and sometimes even because someone in the family has died. Some kids come to therapy because they're having issues with learning, attention or focus in school. Sometimes they're having problems with friends - figuring out how to make and keep friends, being bullied by other kids, or even being a bully themselves. Some kids come to therapy because they're very shy, anxious or sad.
Whatever their issues are, kids come to see me in my office that's a playroom, where we play, do art, do drama using puppets or ourselves, and many other things. My job isn't to "fix" kids, because I don't believe that kids get broken. I do think that sometimes kids need some help solving a problem that's bothering them, or need help learning how to get along better with people in their family and at school.
In play therapy, children learn about themselves, and learn more appropriate ways of expressing themselves. Some kids learn about self-control and how to be a better friend. Kids enjoy their sessions in the playroom. As one boy said, "I want your job when I grow up. You get to play all the time!"