Play therapy is a form of treatment that helps children and families to express their emotions, improve their communication, and solve problems. It helps children to make sense of difficult experiences and deal with psychological and emotional distress through play. Play therapy capitalizes on children’s natural ability to express their feelings and resolve conflicts through play. Play therapy differs from regular play in that the therapist helps children to address and resolve their own problems. Through play therapy, children learn to communicate with others, express feelings, modify behavior, develop problem-solving skills, and learn a variety of ways of relating to others. With a play therapist they can explore various issues they might find difficult to express in other ways. Therapists strategically utilize play therapy to help children express what is troubling them when they do not have the verbal language to express their thoughts and feelings (Gil, 1991). In play therapy, toys are like the child’s words and play is the child’s language (Landreth, 2002). Play Therapists receive extensive training in subjects such as child development and attachment (the bonding process). They are also trained to use play, a child’s natural form of expression, as a means for understanding and communicating with children about feelings, thoughts and behavior.

Bost C.A.R.E.S. utilizes this form of therapy on a regular basis. C.A.R.E.S. has a play therapy room as well as 3 counselors that are trained in play therapy. For more information regarding play therapy and/or to make a referral, please contact the Director of Bost C.A.R.E.S.: Jackie Scarboroug, Ph.D., LPC, ACS, BCPC at 479-784-1449 or jscarborough@bost.org.