What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a therapeutic approach primarily used to help children explore their emotions, resolve psychological issues, and improve their behavior through play. Recognizing that children often lack the verbal skills to express complex feelings and experiences, play therapy leverages the natural medium of play to facilitate communication and healing.
What Happens In A Play Therapy Sessions?
In Play Therapy, children engage with toys and creative activities under the guidance of a trained therapist, allowing them to express their feelings, thoughts, and experiences in a safe environment.
Our play therapists in Montreal aim to help children understand and manage their emotions, develop problem-solving skills, and improve social interactions. They use techniques like role-playing, storytelling, drawing, and games, all tailored to the child’s age, interests, and developmental level. By engaging in play, children can confront and process difficult experiences, leading to increased self-awareness and emotional resilience. This approach works particularly well for children aged 3 to 12 but can also be adapted for adolescents and adults.
Who Can Benefit From Play Therapy?
Play therapy is used to address a range of issues, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and trauma. Research has shown that it can significantly improve emotional and behavioral functioning, making it a valuable intervention in clinical and educational settings.
More specific studies have concluded that children from ethnic minorities and low socioeconomic backgrounds, who may be at risk for behavioral or emotional issues may benefit from child-centred play therapy. This approach to therapy improves emotional regulation, social skills, and reduces behavioral problems among marginalized children.
How to Find a Play Therapist in Montreal?
The Play Therapy Graduate Certificate at Concordia University is open to professionals who hold a master’s degree or higher in fields such as counseling, social work, psychology, art therapy, or drama therapy. Eligible candidates should have at least one year of clinical experience working with children and families. The program is designed to provide specialized training in play therapy, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical skills. Applicants must demonstrate a strong foundation in therapeutic principles and a commitment to professional development in play therapy.
Moreover, The Foundation Play Therapy Training by the Canadian Association for Play Therapy is open to individuals who hold a master’s degree or higher in a mental health-related field such as psychology, social work, or counseling. It is also suitable for those currently enrolled in such graduate programs. Applicants must have experience working with children and families in a therapeutic setting. This training is designed to provide foundational knowledge and skills in play therapy, preparing participants for advanced play therapy certification. You can find a list of certified play therapists in Canada (except for Quebec) in this link.
Our play therapists at the Montreal Art Therapy Centre hold a MA degree in art therapy or drama therapy and have completed their post graduate play therapy training at Concordia University. They are trained to work with children who have a history of childhood trauma, anxiety, loss of a parent, chronic and/or severe illness (e.g., Leukemia) , Oppositional defiant children, victims of abuse, and children with anger issues. You can read about our child therapists in Montreal, Pointe-Claire and Brossard here.
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