play therapy Archive

Latest Posts

20 Ways for Play Therapists to Increase the Experience of Effective Moments in Play Therapy

The following is a culmination of the results from my dissertation research, “The Therapist’s Experience of Effective Moments in Play Therapy.”  I believe it is helpful for all play therapists, beginners or veterans, to review often to remember the great influence

How I Get Kids to Leave My Office … a transition activity

One-on-one time with an adult in a room filled with toys and very little restrictions?  What kid would want to leave!! Ending a play therapy session can be a bit tricky at times, but I have found that consistency and ritual can

Books to Help Children Understand Divorce

Here’s a list of books for kids about divorce.  I use these in play therapy and recommend them to parents when the family is going through a divorce.  If you have some to add, please leave a comment below! The Family

Using Water Beads in Play Therapy

When I entered into the blogging world in the summer of 2011 I was first introduced to the world of water beads.  An amazing substance of gel-like beads that grow or shrink depending how much water they are with … wonderful

Utilizing the Books of Julia Donaldson as Parenting and Therapeutic Resources

One of the things I have really enjoyed about being part of the Virtual Book Club for Kids is finding authors I haven’t read before and discovering how I can incorporate sharing these books with the kids I work with in

Wanting to Make Others Happy … “When I was younger I tried …” FTSF #4

This post is written in response to the “Finish The Sentence Friday Blog Hop (FTSF #4) hosted by Janine @ Janine’s Confessions of a Mommyaholic and Kate @ Can I Get Another Bottle of Whine with My Morning Quiet Time.  I plan to “finish the sentence” each

Why Kids Should Play with Baby Dolls (yes, even boys!) – a collaborative post with Mama OT and Playing with Words 365

I’m very excited to share that I have a collaborative post up today over at Mama OT!  Christie (Mama OT) who is a pediatric Occupational Therapist, Katie (Playing with Words 365) who is a speech therapist, and I wrote about the

PlayDrMom’s Favorite books to help Kids Build Self-Esteem

Spoon, by Amy Krouse Rosenthal … Is a nice way to talk to children about jealousy and, in turn, being thankful for our own uniqueness and personal gifts.  Check out this great activity from Coffee Cups and Crayons. Chrysanthemum, by Kevin Henkes …

Utilizing the books of Amy Krouse Rosenthal as Parenting & Therapeutic resources

I wasn’t familiar with the Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s books before exploring her work during the Virtual Book Club for Kids this month.  After reading through every title by her that I could get at my public library I recognized that many

Playful Activities to Help Kids Learn about Feelings

I feel that one of my most important tasks as a play therapist (and a mom) is to help children understand, cope with, and express their feelings.  In my 13 years of working therapeutically with children I have come across a

Dot Art in Play Therapy

This is a piece of cardboard that is hung above the couch in my play therapy room.  It started as a plain, white piece of cardboard.  But slowly it is developing into a piece of art.  I am using it as

Using Spin Art in Play Therapy

SPIN ART and PLAY THERAPY are two of my favorite things.  I was so happy when I started using spin art in session and realized what a great technique it could be therapeutically.  Originally I just thought my own kids LOVE