| Q. What should I do if I would like my child to see you for counseling?
A. Call me at 645-8668 or email me at stacey.boitnott@stpsb.org to discuss
your child.
Q. What is play therapy?
A. Play therapy is to children what counseling is to adults. Play therapy
utilizes play, children's natural medium of expression, to help them express
their feelings more easily through toys instead of words.
Q. Does my child need play therapy?
A. Throughout their lives, most children go through difficult times, such as
the divorce of their parents, trouble making friends, or adjusting to
changes at school or home. Some children need more help than others to get
through these times. If you or other adults in your child's life are
concerned about your child's behavior, play therapy can help. It is the most
appropriate treatment for helping your child work through difficult times
and helping you gain a better understanding of what your child is going
through. Though children lack the cognitive skills to express themselves
with words, they are fluent in the language of play. Play therapy allows
them to express themselves in the way in which they are most comfortable.
Q. What toys are in a play room and why?
A. Toys are carefully selected for the play therapy room to facilitate
creative and emotional expression from children. The types of toys used can
be played with in many ways and therefore allow for decision-making in
children. They are also very durable and sturdy to allow for repeated use
and rough play. Parents are welcome to view my office/playroom anytime
requested.
Q. What's the difference between play therapy and playing with my child at
home?
A. Play therapists are specifically trained to provide an environment of
acceptance, empathy and understanding in the play therapy room. Play therapy
is not the same thing as playing. Play therapy uses the child's natural
tendency to "play out" their reactions to life situations, in the presence
of a trained play therapist, to help the child feel accepted and understood
and gain a sense of control or understanding of difficult situations.
Q. Will you call me and tell me what my child told you during counseling?
A. A big part of counseling is establishing rapport and building trust. If
there is anything that I am concerned about that would be beneficial for a
parent or teacher to be aware of I will inform you. Please remember that if
I tell parents everything the child tells me then trust will be
destroyed leaving the child to feel very uncomfortable and uninterested in
counseling.
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