Play Therapy and Art Therapy for Kids in Hoboken, NJ
Play Therapy
Your child may be experiencing:
Anger
Irritability
Impulsivity
Worries
Stomach issues
A change in appetite
Sleeping too much or not getting enough sleep
Struggling at school or home
No longer interested in activities they usually enjoy
Withdrawing from family and friends
Anxiety about social interactions
Repetitive self-destructive behaviors (e.g., skin-picking)
Lacking concentration
Low self-esteem
Being a perfectionist
Test taking anxiety
Hopelessness
Going through the separation of their parents
Questions about adoption
Behavioral Issues
Regression in development
Adjusting to a new sibling in the family
At Anchor Therapy, we see children of all ages for play therapy. If your child is under 6 years old, we can provide parent-child counseling such as Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) to help teach you skills that you can use to help your child as well. We will also help support you through any stress you experience as a parent.
How do I know if my child needs play therapy?
All children have emotional ups and downs. Your child, for example, may go through periods of moodiness, troubles with friends, and have dips in their academic performance; however, if you notice consistent negative behaviors, it may be a sign that play therapy can be helpful for your child.
Some struggles are normal bumps in the road. In other words, they are to-be-expected, like an occasional bad test grade in a subject that your child has difficulty with. On the other hand, sometimes what seems to be a normal childhood obstacle can turn into something more serious. Luckily, play therapy is there to help your child overcome any challenges that they may be facing.
As a parent, you know what is best for your child. Trust your instinct. If you feel like something is not right, talk to a child therapist.
What is child play therapy?
Simply, play therapy is a form of psychotherapy where children express or communicate their feelings through play. Although it may not always be easy, adults have the capacity to express their emotions that are negatively impacting them through words. Children do not have this ability. So, children speak through the language of play.
Some reasons why your child may have a hard time telling you or others how they feel, include:
Your child has issues surrounding vulnerability
Your child is introverted (shy/reserved)
Your child struggles to verbally express themself
Play therapy can improve your child’s communication and learning processes.
Types of Play Therapy:
Directive play counseling is when the child mental health counselor chooses the game or toy that will be played during the session. Your child play therapist outlines specific interventions and has direct goals in mind for the session. The child therapist will initiate play situations that deliberately lead your kid to discuss the issues at hand.
Non-directive play counseling is when the child is allowed to pick whatever activity he or she would like to play during the session. Your child therapist takes a more flexible approach in non-directive play therapy, willing to go where the child plays. By doing this method, the child counselor makes space for your child to reveal what is troubling them in a more organic way. There are no set parameters for the session as your kid therapist does not have a pre-planned conversation. Instead, your child will act out scenarios or create stories which gives the therapist an “in” to follow their play themes.
Both types of play can be useful when working with children. Each type of play will allow the child to express themselves and help them handle everyday situations outside of therapy.
How can a child play therapist help my kid?
Your children will face obstacles as they grow up and try to navigate their life. As therapists, we are here to give your children tools and skills so that they can successfully overcome those obstacles. Therapy will open up your child’s communication so that they can express themselves in a better way. This will lead them to having healthier relationships in their life. We can help your child express their thoughts, feelings, and emotions more openly.
Play is a natural component of childhood, and is crucial for your child’s development. When your child cannot express their feelings verbally, child play counseling can be the answer. The positive and trusting connection that your child will develop with their child play counselor gives your child the neutral, judgment-free emotional safe space that they need to heal.
Through play, your child can learn how to:
Behave in a more helpful and healthy manner
Understand their emotions
Gain insight to resolve inner conflict
Control their impulses
Respect themselves and other people
Express their feelings
Solve problems
Communicate effectively and efficiently
Generally, play therapy can help children from ages 3-12 years old, but exceptions are made depending on what your child’s mental health therapist thinks is the best fit. Play therapy allows your child to take their time, choosing how they communicate and expressing their deepest emotions with no pressure present.
Why choose Anchor Therapy for child counseling?
At Anchor Therapy, we put self-care before everything, making sure that all of our clinicians have enough time for self-care so that, when they come into work to help others, they are 100% present. In therapy, your child will have the unique opportunity to have the full attention of an adult that is there to listen and help support them. The therapist will act as a role model who can help your child find what self-care they need as well. We provide a safe place for your child to find themselves and what they need by motivating and inspiring them to reach their fullest potential!
Parents and/or guardians involvement in play therapy:
It is important that the parents or guardian are involved in a child’s treatment. The amount of involvement will differ between families. Some sessions, the parent might be brought in for a play therapy session along with the child. In these sessions, the clinician will teach the parent ways they can openly communicate more with the child through play. Other times, the parent or guardian will be asked to come in for a session without the child for a parent counseling session. Our highly-trained child counselors understand that each situation is unique, and requires different components for your child’s success.
Art Therapy
Art therapy is similar to play therapy but, in this technique, children express themselves through the art they create. A child is able to share emotions, fears, thoughts, and imaginative stories through their creations. The clinician explores the process of creation rather than the final piece of artwork in therapy sessions. This allows the child to identify what they are expressing or feeling in the moment.
Art therapy is usually used with children to help them express themselves in a creative way. Recently, “adult coloring books” have been popular to help adults reduce anxiety. This can be helpful because art is a form of therapy not just for children, but for anyone who takes time out of their day to relax and clear the mind.
What is art therapy?
Art therapy is the process of creating art while expressing yourself under the supervision of a licensed mental health counselor who can then help interpret and reflect feelings, emotions, and behavioral patterns.
Some forms of art therapy include:
Painting
Coloring
Drawing
Clay models
Collages
How is art therapy different from talk therapy?
Art Therapy is a type of child counseling that has been shown to help children (and adults!) cope with negative situations, disabilities, and trauma. Art therapy can serve as a release and expression of feelings that your child may not know how to get rid of otherwise.
Art therapy goes beyond traditional talk therapy that is often seen with adults. It focuses on a creative form of expression that is particularly helpful for young children. Expressive art therapy for children can treat many complications, from helping your child effectively manage stress to dealing with more serious emotional conflicts in life.
If your kid is hesitant to open up and verbally express how they are feeling, your child art therapist will gain their trust by introducing art-making. Then, your child will feel relaxed which results in an easier, non-forceful flow of communication.
By having your child partake in art therapy and by them exploring different art mediums, their imagination is strengthened by what their minds want to express.
What are the benefits of art therapy for my child?
Expressive art therapy for children can awaken your child’s imagination and creativity which will, ultimately, help them discover how to engage their senses and express their emotions.
Art therapy can:
Improve your child’s overall well-being
Lower anxiety and stress levels
Enhance self-awareness
Strengthen relationships
Regulate behaviors
Advance social skills
Art therapy impacts function, mood, and behavior. It has been shown to especially help children with speech impairments, PTSD, developmental disabilities, ADD/ADHD, and other mental or behavioral health conditions.
THE next STEPS OF starting PLAY THERAPY or art therapy AT ANCHOR THERAPY:
The first step is for you to reach out by completing our form at the bottom of this page.
After reaching out through the form, you will be set up with a licensed child play counselor at Anchor Therapy who specializes in seeing children and who matches your needs based on age and what you are looking for help with in child counseling.
After you are set up with a counselor that best fits your child's needs, you will meet for an hour-long intake session to discuss the background information about your child’s life to let your therapist know how they can best help your child. Ideally, you would meet with the therapist along with the child’s other parent (if applicable) without children present so that you can talk openly with the therapist about your concerns. If your child is in their teen years then it is possible that they are asking for therapy. If you are comfortable having them express what is going on then they can be present with you at the intake session.
At the end of the intake session, your therapist will help you create a treatment plan and outline goals for your child as you discuss the changes you’re looking to have them make in their life. Your child counselor will be there with your family every step of the way to help your child make positive changes to enhance their mental health. Throughout the therapy process, your therapist may recommend family and/or parenting sessions based on your child’s needs.
How often should children attend therapy?
It is recommended to start therapy once a week in order for your child to build a trusting relationship with their therapist and to get a jump start on their goals. Over time you and your child’s counselor may agree that you are ready for your child to transition to biweekly sessions and then maybe monthly sessions to maintain the positive changes and new coping skills that they have formed in therapy. It is also typical for someone to attend sessions for about 3 months and feel good enough to “graduate” from counseling. They may then return in the future if a new stressor arises in their life or if they are in need of new coping skills or accountability. We are here for your family whenever you need it.
Play therapy or art therapy is an investment in your child’s future and overall well-being. Our mental health is what drives us to create and tackle goals, build meaningful relationships with others, and act in an appropriate manner. The longer you postpone counseling, the more serious your child’s problems can become. Therapy gives your child the chance to try new skills, resolve their existing problems, and use healthy coping mechanisms for future events.
CONTACT US
WORKING WITH US IS EASY
Fill out the contact form below.
Our intake coordinator will get back to you with more information on how we can help and to schedule an appointment. We will set you up with an experienced licensed therapist who specializes in what you're seeking help with and who understands your needs.
You’ll rest easy tonight knowing you made the first step to improve your life.
