Benefits of Processing Through Play/Creativity

Play helps children/young people to make sense of their worlds
It enables them to rehearse for future life
Play is a vital part of child development. Playing in counselling provides opportunity to rework incomplete or missed stages of development
A child’s story is heard and witnessed by the counsellor.
The ability to symbolise and place issues outside of oneself gives a sense of control.
This prevents overwhelm, creating the capacity to think through and master problems.
It can help with making sense of things which cause anxiety.
Play encourages free expression, without being directed by the counsellor, facilitating autonomy and formation of a sense of self.
Play helps children/young people to regulate defensive states.
Positive neural pathways associated with the ability to socially engage and make deeper connections are produced through being playful with another.