Why is the therapeautic relationship regarded as a central component Essay

Why is the therapeautic relationship regarded as a central component to play therapy - Essay Example By giving the child a variety of different toys, including dolls, stuffed animals, and paints, the therapist is able to watch the child’s interactions with the toys in order to see how he or she feels. When something difficult happens in a child’s life, he or she may not yet have the verbal skills to properly express his or her feelings. Play therapy allows for the therapist to get beyond this verbal barrier and into the issues that could be plaguing the child’s development. For example, if a child is angry about something, he or she will act more aggressively towards the toys and might even get to the point of being destructive, whereas a depressed child might not even feel like playing with the toys. The style of therapy is supposed to help the child to come to grips with his or her limitations and capabilities and help the child to learn about him or her self and about life in general. It can also be a helpful tool in the child developing communication skills, as the therapist will be there communicating with the child throughout this process, â€Å"which must take place between children and the counsellor if the time together is to be a therapeutic experience† (Landreth, Play Therapy: Dynamics of the Process of Counseling with Children 45). Studies have shown that play therapy is effective in helping with many different social, behavioural, emotional, and educational problems. These problems include depression, anger, apprehension, demeanour disorders, abuse issues, aggressive behaviour, post-traumatic stress disorders, low self-esteem issues, poor social skills, impulsive behaviour, learning disorders, divorce issues, and handling traumatic experiences. Over time, the original ideas of play therapy have â€Å"merged almost completely into a newer therapeutic attitude, the nondirective approach (Landreth, Play Therapy: Dynamics of the Process of Counseling with Children 71) where â€Å"the therapist may leave responsibility and