Therapeutic Value of Play

This playroom is a safe place for fun. So much of the recovery from trauma and abuse is hard, gut-wrenching, painful emotional work that this play place is purposefully here to help provide a balance. Play is fundamentally important for the emotional health of both children and adults. Play is a way to express emotion that cannot be said in words. Play is a way to learn new skills, resolve conflict, and enhance the development of positive self esteem. Play implies freedom, safety, trust, a sense of well-being, and pure joy.

Unfortunately, for most children that have been severely abused, play was not allowed. Often there was too much family crisis to play, or the children were too chronically upset, or the rigid, controlling rules of the perpetrator did not allow children to play.

However, safe play is very therapeutic in and of itself. Play is a way of de-stressing, a way to be creative, and a way to laugh. Through play, people develop imagination, problem solving skills, flexibility, social skills, trust, and intimacy. Adding play to your life will lead to less depression, less anxiety, less stress, and less aggression.

On the other hand, according to the Institute for Play, play-deprived children and adults are more likely to be violent or choose violent and impulsive problem solving strategies. They have more fear, more pessimism, and more cynicism, and more rigidity. They have greater communication problems, more pent up emotions, and more intense conflicts with people. Now who wants that??!!

See? Laughter and fun are truly very important parts of healing.

So, come on, everyone, let’s go have fun! It’s never too late to have a good time!

ENJOY!!!