Theraplay

The Mental Wellness Center, Inc is honored to have multiple providers specializing in Theraplay. Theraplay is a structured form of playing with children and their families, which the Association of Play Therapy has recognized as one of the seminal psychotherapies for children. Some of the goals of Theraplay are to enhance attachment, improve self-esteem, build trust in self and others, enhance and repair relationships, engage joyfully, and repair behavioral issues. These sessions are designed to be fun and playful. Theraplay was created over fifty years ago to support healthy child/caregiver attachment.  Many of these sessions are going to look very different from traditional therapy. It will rarely be just sitting and engaging in stereotypical talk therapy. Theraplay sessions are designed to be fun, engaging, physical, personal, and interactive. Clinicians who lead using Theraplay techniques are more interactive, facilitating and modeling healthy interactions between parents and children.

Many people use the words play therapy and Theraplay interchangeably and assume they mean the same thing. They are very different concepts in practice. Play therapy often describes feelings, experiences, concerns, and knowledge communicated through self-directed play. Play therapy is often described as being driven by the child, whereas the adults direct Theraplay.   At The Mental Wellness Center, we utilize Theraplay because it can be utilized for a much broader range of presenting issues, complexities, and overall goals. 

Theraplay is an interesting blend of structure yet play-based therapy, frequently chosen to address attachment issues. Strong attachments between children and key adults in their lives have been believed to be the basis of lifelong good mental health and the core concept of resilience in the face of adversity.  One of the reasons Theraplay is typically the modality of choice because it is a research-backed method based on attachment theory that focuses on developing brain, emotional, and behavioral development. Modern brain research in the study of neuroscience has proven that attachment is how children come to understand, trust and thrive in their world. 

If you are ready to schedule an appointment for your child please call or email us today at 309-807-5077 or email us at info@TheMentalWellnessCenter.com.