Signs That Your Child Might Need Play Therapy

By Alicia Lord, MA LPC

Though many parents we work with have had their own experiences with counseling of all kinds, therapy for children is a whole different beast. It’s very unlikely that your kiddo is going to come to you asking for resources for emotional support. It’s also very unlikely that they will show you what’s happening as an emotional challenge. So how are you supposed to know when your child needs play therapy?

Children are constantly communicating to us through their behaviors. Instead of talking through things, they will show us their pain, their challenge, and their struggles in the only ways they know how…acting out, lashing out, melting down, or any of the other number of behavioral symptoms we see on a daily basis.

Here are some behavioral signs that your child might benefit from play therapy:

Physical and verbal aggression

Tantrums and/or melt downs

Blaming

Yelling

Crying easily

Giving up

Boredom

Low self-esteem

Being bullied or bullying

Whining and complaining

Social isolation

Separation anxiety

Perseverating

Fears and phobias

Running away

Nightmares

Hyperactivity and difficulty focusing

Perfectionism

Defiance

Difficulty following directions

Some kids, however, are better at “holding it together,” and therefore may demonstrate more physical symptoms rather than behavioral symptoms. Therese physical symptoms can include:

Headaches

Neck aches

Clenching jaw or joints

Recurring head colds

Cough or runny nose that won’t go away

Overly tired or excessive sleep

Stomach aches and digestive issues

Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

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These lists are by no means complete, but it’s a great place to start if you are wondering how to get your child the support they need. By decoding the message behind the physical and behavioral symptoms, we can get to the root of the problem and help your child start to express themselves in healthier ways.

If you have questions about these symptoms or want to learn more about play therapy services for your child, feel free to reach out today for your free 30-minute consultation.