5 Reasons Why Theraplay® Could Help Your Child [Video]

Can you please stop doing that…

When our kids are stuck managing emotions that may feel too big and overwhelming, we aren’t always sure the best way to respond.  Depending who you ask, the answer may vary.  Some may advise you to ignore the behavior, others may tell you offer an incentive.

Regardless of the advice, these interactions with your child may feel like a battle zone and the fun and joy in your relationship seems to be fading into the distance.  

Theraplay® may be the best approach to help you manage the behaviors while addressing the toll our reactions and our child’s behavior has had on your relationship.  

5 reasons why you might consider engaging in Theraplay as a treatment option with your child:

1. Your child’s behaviors are negatively impacting your relationship desire to be with or ability to have fun with your child.

2. Your child experiences a variety of sensory issues and you are not always sure how to respond in positive ways.

3. Your child has been identified as being on the Autism Spectrum and it can feel hard to connect with your child.

4. You are considering welcoming a new child into your home through foster care or adoption.

5. It can feel hard to know what your child needs — from a child who tends to withdraw from interactions or a child who dysregulates easily and can be hard to manage.

It is important to remember that behavior is merely a symptom of something your child is trying to figure out how to manage and likely doesn’t have the words to share with you how you can help.

Theraplay® is an attachment focused, play therapy intervention that aids in the development of and/or enhancement of the attachment relationship between a caregiver and a child.  

Through simple play sequences, this model focuses on exploring four dimensions of the parent-child relationship: Structure, Engagement, Nurture and Challenge. Practitioners use of the Marshack Interaction Method, a video-taped assessment that utilizes play activities to explore how each of these dimensions is working in the parent child relationship to develop an individualized treatment plan that focuses on supporting both parent and child to strengthen their relationship while addressing the underlying factors that contribute to the very behaviors your child is struggling with.

If you would like to learn more about what Theraplay could offer your family, please reach out for a free 15-minute phone consultation with one of Kid Matters Theraplay Practitioners. You can find a list of our current Theraplay® practitioners below.

Susan Stutzman, LCPC, RPT, Intermediate Theraplay Practitioner

Gloria M. Cockerill, LCSW, RPT-S, Certified Theraplay Practitioner, Trainer and Supervisor

Cheryl Welsh, LCPC, RPT, Intermediate Theraplay Practitioner

Keri Sawyer, LPC, Level 1 Trained Theraplay Practitioner

Dr. Alana Roth, Level 1 Trained Theraplay Practitioner

Jon Caes, LCSW, Level 1 Trained Theraplay Practitioner

Shana Sanchez, MA, Level 1 Trained Theraplay Practitioner

Fernando Gonzalez, LCSW, Level 1 Trainer Theraplay Practitioner