When you think of therapy, do you think of a therapist sitting in a chair taking notes while a client lies on a futon, spilling their feelings? Maybe you picture a classroom setting where similar individuals sit around a circle in chairs, taking turns talking about their experiences. While these environments have their place, they can make it hard to maintain the attention of children, adolescents, teens, and even adults. Play therapy and other methods help shift settings and engage clients in the therapeutic process.

At Family First, we know that our therapy programming for adolescents 13–18 can’t just take place in classroom settings. Our team prioritizes experiential methods, like play, art, and music therapies, to help keep the teens we help engaged. In individual and group settings, teens work closely with therapists to explore their feelings in ways that are beneficial to their healing. Call 888.904.5947 to get started.

What Is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a psychotherapeutic (talk therapy) approach that uses play to communicate with and help people, especially children, explore their underlying mental health and find better ways to cope with it. Young people are especially good candidates for play therapy because they may not have the language to describe their emotions, feelings, or circumstances fully. This extends to adolescents and teens, who may have a better idea of what’s going on but have difficulty expressing it verbally.

Therapists engaging with clients in play therapy must take a step down from their normal position in the therapeutic process. Rather than direct questioning, the therapist must interact with the client’s expression through different play settings.

How Play Therapy Works

Play therapy is a complex but fun way to get teens engaged in the therapeutic process. It requires thoughtful planning and a strong understanding of the client’s needs, situation, and strengths.

Building an Environment

During play therapy sessions, the therapist will build or introduce a setting that’s suitable for the type of play they want the client to engage in. For adolescents and teens, this will look different than methods for children. Many of the same tools may still be used, but they’ll likely be introduced in more mature contexts. Common forms of play therapy for teens include:

• Sandtray therapy – Using models and other objects, the therapist and client create scenes in a tray or box filled with sand. This method is especially helpful for teens who have experienced trauma and aren’t able to verbally communicate what happened.
• Expressive art therapy – Creativity helps teens express their inner thoughts and emotions, even if they don’t have the words for them. Art therapy allows them to create complex pieces that represent their feelings and experiences.
• Music therapy – Similar to art therapy, music can help teens express themselves in ways they may not be able to through words. Even if they don’t create music themselves, listening and critiquing music can be therapeutic.
• Drama and acting – The safe space provided by the backdrop of a theatrical setting can allow teens to process and express their emotions while confronting their mental health challenges in a nuanced way.

Since play relies heavily on imagination to create and express, the setting and tools used are just vehicles for the client to explore. However, they are important in shaping the direction and purpose of play therapy sessions.

Directive and Non-directive Play

There are two main approaches to play therapy: directive and non-directive. In directive play therapy, the therapist takes an active role in directing the client’s play. This can include specific activities or prompts to guide the client towards certain emotions or themes. Non-directive play therapy, on the other hand, allows the client to have more control over their play and exploration.

Family Involvement

After play therapy sessions, the therapist may also involve family members in discussions or activities related to the client’s play. This can help parents and caregivers better understand their child’s thoughts and emotions, as well as provide support and tools for them to continue the therapeutic process at home.

Call Family First for Engaging Adolescent Therapy

Expressive and experiential therapies are one of our core areas of focus at Family First. We understand the importance of engaging our adolescent clients in meaningful ways, and play therapy is just one of the many tools we use to achieve this goal. If your teen is struggling with their mental health, contact us online today or at 888.904.5947. We offer residential treatment for boys and co-ed day treatment for teens at our center in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.