In technical language: The Association for Play Therapy (APT) defines play therapy as “the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development.”
In easier language: The counselor works to establish a safe and connected relationship with the child. Once the child feels safe, he/she is able to fully express and explore feelings, thoughts and behaviors around difficult circumstances or traumas in his/her life. As he/she plays, the counselors uses research based measurements to interpret the play language. The counselor also intervenes to help direct the client if the client gets stuck or needs more tools or options to work through a problem. This allows the child to grow positive attributes such as an emotional vocabulary, positive coping skills, healthy social interactions, productive expression of emotions, and the ability to move forward in life (growth and development) despite outside circumstances.