Mental health is an essential component of overall health and well-being. Historically, it has been stigmatized in American society, and those struggling with mental health disorders have been marginalized or ignored. This is especially true for one group of people that is already largely ignored by mainstream society—children. Connections Wellness Group offers mental health services for those struggling with mental health, including a play therapy program for children.
Millions of Americans struggle with mental health issues, particularly children and adolescents. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 11% of youth aged 3-17 in the United States experience a mental disorder in a given year. This amount is higher than the percentage of adults (8%) who struggle with mental illness. Among children aged 6-17, an estimated 5.4 million suffer from a mental disorder. In addition, over 2 million children aged 3-17 have been diagnosed with anxiety, which is the most common form of mental illness in this age group.
If your child is in need of a play therapy program in Texas, reach out to Connections Wellness Group at 940.360.4245. We have multiple locations throughout the Dallas/Forth Worth metropolitan area.
What Is Play Therapy for Children?
Play therapy is to children what traditional therapy is to adults. Play therapy is a style of therapy dedicated to children that helps them express and communicate their feelings. Play therapy is a sub-specialty of therapy provided by extensively trained therapists that consider the developmental stage of the child’s brain and assist in processing their emotions and feelings.
Children often have not yet obtained the verbal skills and/or emotional development necessary to effectively benefit from traditional therapy. Children naturally communicate through their actions, as their play speaks for them. In play therapy, the therapist can be present with the child in a developmentally appropriate way for their specific needs, meeting them where they are cognitively and emotionally.
When a child is met with empathy and understanding, it is then that they are able to explore repressed thoughts and unresolved emotions. In doing so, the child will ultimately be able to resolve psychosocial difficulties more effectively. By learning problem-solving techniques, gaining healthy coping skills, and developing new social and relational skills, the child will be better equipped to handle life stressors by utilizing the strategies learned in play therapy.
Play therapy has been proven most effective in treating childhood issues such as:
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Behavioral/conduct disorders
Play therapy provides a comfortable environment where children are encouraged to express themselves freely by engaging in various therapeutic activities.
What to Expect in a Play Therapy Program in Texas
Expect your child to be provided with a ‘play room’ where they will be provided with an array of activities and equipment to express their feelings. A trained therapist analyzes their play style and appropriately engages with the child to create tools for processing stressors and developing coping skills.
Play therapy for children often includes the following activities:
- Art
- Music
- Board games/cards
- Roleplay
- Toys and puppets
Who Could Benefit from a Play Therapy Program?
Any of the millions of children affected by mental illness each year could benefit from treatment, especially those in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area. The most common candidate for a play therapy program will be children affected with the following mental health disorders:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Grief/Loss
- Trauma
- ADHD
- Children with behavioral issues
- Children demonstrating intolerance to stress
Contact Connections Wellness Group
Sometimes the decision to seek treatment is easy, but sometimes it takes incredible courage, especially where children are involved. We have a team of specialized Play Therapists capable of performing this high-level therapy.
We are competitively priced and accept most insurance plans. To see the list of insurance we accept, please click here: Insurance Accepted.
Don’t wait to seek help for yourself or your child struggling with mental illness. Call 940.360.4245 or reach out online to get started.