Play Therapy is a form of therapy for children and adolescents that takes a unique and systemic approach to promote the psychological, social and emotional health and wellbeing. Because play is the natural language of the child, Play Therapy is a developmentally appropriate approach to working with children who have experienced trauma, or display social, emotional and behavioural concerns. Within a healing relationship, the play therapist uses the therapeutic powers of play as the core agents to facilitate change. Through this relationship, the sacred space and play, children discover and explore their thoughts and feelings.
For more information see these links
Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA)
The British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT)
Association for Play Therapy - United States
This video introduces and promotes the value of play, play therapy, credentialed play therapists, and membership in the Association for Play Therapy.
Help APPTA to raise awareness about Play Therapy on the 1st of July - Play Therapy Day here in Australia. Please share this short film about the importance of play and what Play Therapy is.
Articles to reference:
Bratton, S. & Ray, D. . (2000). What the research shows about play therapy. Journal of Play Therapy, 9(1), 47-88.
Guerney, L. (2001). Child-Centered Play Therapy International journal of Play Therapy, 10(2), 19.
Lin, Y.W. & Bratton, S.C. (2015). A Meta-Analytic Review of Child-Centered Play Therapy Approaches. Journal of counselling & development, 93, 14.