Theraplay is an evidenced-based play therapy model that involves a caregiver and a child. Theraplay is designed to help parents and kids build better relationships through attachment-based play therapy.
Play therapists everywhere recently celebrated that Theraplay was given the designation as an “evidenced-based practice,” by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). SAMHSA looks at all the different types of therapies available and studies the research conducted about that type of therapy. They then decide if a type of therapy is evidenced based or not. I have personally witnessed families make wonderful strides in their relationships via Theraplay!
What do Theraplay Sessions look like?
The first session looks like a series of fun activities that parents and children do together. I record this session with a videotape (my eyes only, and I delete it when I am done). And then I look at it and determine which areas we need to focus on throughout treatment.
After the first session, Theraplay looks a lot like play! We will focus on these four areas: Structure, Engagement, Challenge, Nurture.
Structure: Structure activities are designed to show the child that parents are trustworthy and predictable. In our activities, we will show children that their caregiver can provide safety, organization, and regulation.
Engagement: Through engagement play activities we will show children in therapy how to form a strong connection with their caregiver and how to share in joyful experiences.
Nurture: We want children to see their caregivers as warm, tender, calming, and comforting. During nurture activities, we will sing songs, play, and share snacks.
Challenge: How does your child handle hard things? Do they take appropriate risks, explore, and have confidence? In Theraplay we will do some fun playful challenges to help build this self-confidence.
Who could benefit from Theraplay?
- Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Children in Foster Care or who have previously been in foster care. (Attachment)
- Children who have been adopted
- Children with regulation disorders or behavioral issues
- Adolescents as well, but I would carefully select our activities. Although teenagers need nurture, challenge, structure, and engagement as well!
- Children who have been away from a parent for some time for whatever reason.
- I have personally seen it help many children with disinhibited attachment disorder help build more healthy levels of attachment with their primary caregiver.
Theraplay can be done via telehealth from the comfort of your own home. If you are concerned about COVID 19 exposures. If you choose to do telehealth I would give you a list of materials ahead of each session to find around the home.
I am able to serve families from North Carolina via telehealth and clients in person at my location in Jackson, Michigan. I am currently in-network with most Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Of course, families are always allowed to pay for services and receive a superbill to submit to their insurance company or reimbursement. Feel free to email me with any questions jennlowetherapy@gmail.com.