What are the Goals of Play Therapy?

The main goal of play therapy is to help a child with the anxiety, emotional conflicts and symptoms that precipitate the initial referral to the play therapist. A secondary aim is to work with a child and family to remove barriers that interfere with the child’s optimal development. Most children come to the attention of a play therapist due to a noticeable problem where assistance is considered crucial by parents, the school or the child themselves. In the instance of an 8-year old child struggling with enuresis, he may also carry along with his problem low self-esteem and the reluctance to join in school sponsored weekend camping trips or a sleep-over with peers. It is important to address this physical control issue, but it is also vital to take the opportunity to help the child become more independent in general. Practicing self-reliance in a therapeutic session and at home positively impacts the child’s sense of self-worth. This new feeling of confidence boosts a child’s ability and desire to socialize creating new prospects for learning. Symptom removal clearly represents only part of the benefits of a play therapy intervention. The additional positive effects may, in the end, prove even more noteworthy than the initially intended removal of symptoms. Here the child is more completely treated and positioned for enhanced future success.