What to Expect in Child Therapy

By Child Specialist, Alli Domers Benhaim, LCSW

Is your child experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression or PTSD? Are you noticing challenging behaviors in your child and you are not sure what to do? Does your child shut down when you ask them what’s wrong? Child therapy can be a helpful space for kids to explore their feelings safely and process their needs, learning how to better communicate with you and how you can foster a secure parent-child attachment. Here is more of what to expect when you bring your child in for therapy.

What is Play Therapy:

Sandtray therapy and play therapy increase emotional expression and release emotional experiences in a safe way. Through pretend play, children create stories that represent their internal conflicts and they find resolution along the way. Each child therapy session encompasses “talk time” and “play time”, which creates a supportive balance to approach healing.

How to Get Kids to Talk in Therapy:

It is not easy for kids to talk about the hard things. In fact, some kids may even shut down, hide or yell when it is time to discuss something challenging. In session, I let kids know that we usually talk about one hard thing each time in order to make things easier in the future. I also remind them that they are not in trouble, which helps kids feel safer and more comfortable. Although “talk time” is usually the least preferred part of each session, these opportunities strengthen the child-parent attachment. During this time, I facilitate mindful parenting, role plays, coping strategies and other skills, activating the child’s left brain or logical brain.  We then move into using the right brain or emotional brain where the child experiences self- exploration through play.  

Play Time

“Play time” is usually the most preferred part of each session. This is where the deepest work occurs when children borrow my calm energy to achieve a Zen like state where they become fully present to work through deep wounds, non-verbal emotions and trauma through spontaneous play. Both play therapy and Sandtray therapy provide a medium where children express themselves through symbols and metaphors. In this state, children tap into their authentic self. The element of pretend creates a distance from the reality of their difficult experiences and allows them to dive in. Children also benefit from the tactile experience of using the sand and objects where they can connect to their internal world to rework challenges. Deep healing occurs when children tap into their logical and emotional brain at the same time. And even though we face challenges, play time in therapy can be a lot of fun too.

How to do Virtual Play Therapy 

If choosing to do online play therapy, at Spilove Psychotherapy, your therapist will make a sand tray kit and deliver it to your home. Kits will include a sand tray and miniatures. Children can also add any objects from home. The kit is only for use when connected in the session with the therapist present. Parents and children are responsible for returning all materials to the therapist. 

More About Mindful Parenting 

During sessions, parents will learn the following: child development education, 1-2-3 Magic, how to hear your child and validate their feelings, how to strengthen attachment through therapeutic games, and how to gently redirect your child’s behaviors. 

Contact us today to schedule a FREE 15-minute phone consultation with Child Specialist, Alli Domers Benhaim, LSW, to see if play therapy is right for your child. Alli provides therapy for children in Bryn Mawr, PA and online.

About the author:

Alli has been providing therapy for children and families for the last six years after graduating from Bryn Mawr College of Social Work and Social Research. Alli is trauma informed and specializes in child development, attachment, mindful parenting, sensory integration, behavioral challenges, Autism, anxiety, depression and grief and loss. Utilizes Play Therapy, Sandtray Therapy, art, movement and Mindfulness-Based-Play-Family Therapy. Alli works primarily with children ages 3 to 12 and their families. Proficiant in American Sign Language.

Check out Alli’s Dragon Meditation for Children Here.