Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT), more commonly known as "Play Therapy", is a therapeutic approach specifically designed for children, emphasizing their natural ability to express themselves and heal through play. CCPT is particularly effective for children who may have experienced trauma, anxiety, depression, behavioural issues, or family disruptions. It is generally suitable for children between the ages of 3 and 12.
What Does CCPT (aka Play Therapy) Look Like?
The core principles of CCPT are: a non-directive approach, child autonomy, the therapeutic relationship, and symbolic play.
The relationship between the therapist and the child is central. The therapist provides empathy, unconditional positive regard and acceptance, fostering a safe space for the child. The safe and accepting environment allows the child to lead the play, choosing activities and themes.
Children are given the freedom to express their feelings, thoughts, and experiences in their own way and at their own pace. Play is a natural way for children to process their emotions and experiences symbolically.
What Does a Play Therapy Room Look Like?
The therapy room has a variety of toys and materials that allow for creative expression. The therapist observes and reflects the child's feelings and actions, facilitating the processing of their experiences and emotional growth.
Sand tray therapy is a technique often used with play therapy. It involves using a sandbox and a variety of miniature toys or figures. The client is invited to create scenes or worlds in the sand, which can help them express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a non-verbal way. The sand tray creates a safe space for children to explore and process their experiences through symbolism and metaphor.
What Are The Benefits of CCPT (aka Play Therapy)?
Expected outcomes are helping children express their emotions in a healthy and constructive way and learning to manage their emotions and behaviours. Play therapy strengthens the child’s self-confidence, self-worth, and ability to solve problems and cope with challenges. It also supports the child in processing traumatic or distressing experiences.
Structured vs. Unstructured Play: Support For Each
Structured Play and Play Therapy
Dr. Bruce Perry is a child psychiatrist and neuroscientist known for his work in trauma and neurodevelopment. While his primary focus is not exclusively on play therapy, his research and insights into how trauma affects the developing brain have significant implications for therapeutic practices, including play therapy.
Dr. Perry developed the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), which emphasizes understanding the sequence of brain development and how trauma impacts this process. He also emphasizes the importance of helping children regulate their emotions and behaviours, forming strong therapeutic relationships, and engaging in higher-order reasoning. Play therapy aligns with these principles by providing a safe, relational space where children can regulate emotions through play and build trust with the therapist.
Play therapy often includes rhythmic and repetitive activities which Dr. Perry’s research indicates are important for regulating the brain’s stress response, in turn helping children develop better self-regulation skills. Dr. Perry highlights the importance of relational health in recovery from trauma. Play therapy provides a consistent, safe relationship where children feel seen, understood, and supported, which is crucial for healing.
According to Perry’s NMT, therapeutic interventions should follow the sequence of brain development. Play therapy, with its emphasis on non-verbal, sensory, and motor activities, meets children where they are at in a developmentally appropriate manner.
Unstructured Play and Play Therapy
Dr. Gordon Neufeld is a developmental psychologist known for his work on attachment and developmental psychology. His theories and research focus on the importance of attachment in the healthy development of children and the role it plays in their emotional, social, and cognitive growth.
Dr. Neufeld advocates for unstructured, spontaneous play rather than structured activities. Unstructured play allows children to express themselves freely and creatively, fostering imagination and problem-solving skills. Unstructured play aligns with the core element of a non-directed approach within Child-Centred Play therapy.
According to Dr. Neufeld secure attachment provides a foundation for children to explore the world, develop autonomy, and form healthy relationships. He believes that secure attachment relationships provide the foundation for healthy play. When children feel safe and connected to their caregivers, they are more likely to engage in deep, meaningful play. Building and strengthening attachment within play therapy is done through the therapeutic relationship which is one of the core elements. The attachment work done in the playroom helps to transfer to the child’s other relationships with important adults in their lives.
Playing Isn't Just Good For Children
The importance of play continues throughout our lives. Play as an adult is represented in the activities that we engage in that allow us to be in the moment; where everything else melts away creating a feeling of a flow state where time disappears.
These could include reading a book, sports, creating art, spending time on the water, hiking, going to the gym etc. Meaningful, unstructured play as a child begins the exploration of finding the activities that support our mental health as adults. Incorporating play into your family's life will benefit everyone!
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Disclaimer
Information provided through Balance Psychological Services' blog posts is meant for educational purposes only. This is NOT medical or mental health advice. If you are seeking mental health advice, please contact us directly at (587) 985-3132.