Archive for child therapy toys

June Play Therapy Wrap-Up

Posted by Gary Yorke

· July 2, 2018

Children learn as they play. More importantly, in play, children learn how to learn.

-O. Fred Donaldson

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Another great submission from Leah Davies highlights the importance of encouraging thoughts for children. Leah has tips on how to provoke children to encourage themselves as well as their peers. Examples of positive “self-talk” from Leah’s list include, “It’s OK to make mistakes because everyone does” and, “Each new day brings a chance to do better.” Learning to encourage themselves and others teaches children the value of a positive disposition, and helps them to manage peer relations. Read more here.

Articles

A study conducted in the 60’s has been given new life. The marshmallow test was used to measure the impulsiveness of children by giving them one marshmallow to eat immediately, or wait and get two marshmallows later. The initial test found that most children couldn’t wait for the better deal. Surprisingly, the test re-administered to today’s youngsters told a different story. Researchers are looking to credit technological advances for today’s children’s higher IQ levels, which may lead to higher self-control. Read full article here.

A new study has found that there is no difference in the developmental outcomes for children of same-sex versus different-sex marriage. The study followed lesbian mothers, gay fathers, and heterosexual couples. While there were no findings that one type of family unit performed better or worse than the others, it was found that parents in unhappy relationships reported more problems with their childrens’ behavior. Read full article here.

Christopher J. Ferguson, a professor of psychology at Stetson University, claims that addiction to technology is “rubbish.” According to his research, the chemical reaction in the brain while having “screen time” is similar to that of other play-time activities, such as swimming, reading for leisure, or conversing. True addictive substances tend to drive the brain’s levels of dopamine much much higher than the body can naturally produce. Read full article here.

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Categories : Child Development, Feelings, Impulse Control, Monthly Wrap-Up, Parenting, Wrap Up

Tags : child therapy, child therapy toys, childhood stress, feelings, mental health disorders, Play Therapy

Trauma Reaction Cards

Posted by Gary Yorke

· May 14, 2018

· No Comments

The Trauma Reaction Cards are a therapeutic tool to assist children and adolescents in understanding and identifying their reactions to traumatic or stressful life experiences. These colorful and illustrated cards are categorized into the four domains of trauma reactions: Behavior Reactions, Body Reactions, Brain & Thinking Reactions, and Feelings Reactions.

To be used by qualified professionals only.**

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Categories : Product of the Month

Tags : Child Abuse, child therapy, child therapy toys, childhood stress, counseling games, feelings, Play Therapy, play therapy gams, therapeutic games for children

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

Posted by Gary Yorke

· April 11, 2018

· 1 Comment

As child clinicians we will become involved in many cases of abuse and neglect. A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds. 3.6 million reports of child abuse, covering 6.6 million children, are made annually. Four to five children die daily from abuse and neglect. At least 80% of abused and neglected children will meet criteria for one or more psychological disorders at age 21. Up to two-thirds of people in treatment for substance abuse report a history of neglect or abuse. Incarceration rates for men and women who have been abused are substantially higher than the general population.

Child therapists are in a unique position as we often become intimately involved with victims of neglect and abuse as providers, reporters of the abuse, and sometimes as expert witnesses. To be successful with this population, child therapists must have ongoing training and support. Anyone working with abused and neglected children should seek out some form of supervision. More experienced clinicians may choose a peer supervision group which can not only offer clinical guidance, but emotional support as well. Most of us are much more comfortable in our roles as clinicians than expert witnesses. However, being an expert witness doesn’t have to be intimidating and can be a very important opportunity to serve a client. Here is a great list of do’s and dont’s if called on to be an expert witness: 25 Tips for Expert Witnesses.

Self-care is essential for clinicians working with victims of abuse. Vicarious traumatization is a significant risk and can lead to burnout. “Therapist burnout” can be manifested as reduced compassion, a loss of caring and empathy, emotional exhaustion, and not feeling competent. The Society of Psychotherapy offers some excellent insights into recognizing burnout and strategies for self-care.

We recommend that anyone doing therapy with children become a member of The Association for Play Therapy (A4PT), and take advantage of the training opportunities at the national and state conferences. A4PT publications include Play Therapy Magazine and The International Journal of Play Therapy. Online resources are also available to members. Advanced training is available from TF-CBT, which offers a certification in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. TF-CBT is listed as an evidence-based therapy on SAMHSA.GOV.

Of course, there is a treasure trove of resources available on the internet. A good place to start is the 2018 Prevention Resource Guide from the US Dept of Health and Human Services. Other helpful online resources include Prevent Child Abuse, ASPCC, and the Joyful Heart Foundation. ChildTherapyToys.com also offers a wide variety of resources to clinicians working with children and teens.

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Categories : Play Therapy, Resources, Sandplay/Sand Tray Therapy, Self-Esteem, Sexual Abuse, Trauma and Grief

Tags : Abuse, awareness, behavioral therapy, Child Abuse, Child Advocate, child therapy toys, expert witness, Play Therapy, play therapy intervention, sand play therapy, Trauma

March Play Therapy Wrap-Up

Posted by Gary Yorke

· April 2, 2018

· No Comments

It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. -Frederick Douglas

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The internet can be a wonderful source of information and learning for young students, but it can also be a scary place for teens, and a difficult place for parents to monitor. Fortunately, there are tools to help parents and adolescents. In this blog about teen cyber-safety, we outline some on the problem areas on the internet, as well as the tools to educate young teens on the dangers of the internet and how to stay safe. Read more here!

Articles

A new study from the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders at McGill University in Montreal, Canada suggests that autistic children benefit from being bilingual. “In the first study of its kind, scientists show that bilingual children with autism spectrum disorders can switch mental gears more easily than those who can only speak one language.” It’s common that autistic children have difficulty transitioning between tasks, and studies shows that being bilingual improves executive functioning. Researchers set out to find if being bilingual could help executive flexibility in children with ASD. Read full article here.

Video gaming among children and adolescents is a much debated topic. Can a person become addicted to gaming? Nancy Petry, a professor of medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and editor of the journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviors explains gaming disorder, how to identify it, and how to seek help. While gaming disorder effects a very small number of people, gaming as become a very popular pass-time for all ages of players, and it’s important to be aware of potential problems. Read full article here.

Studies have shown that adolescents who perform non-fatal self-harm are 26.7 times more likely to commit suicide within the next year. Though self-harm is not always performed with suicidal intent, the risks of repeat self-harm and possibly eventually suicide are related and high. In this article, Molly Walker of MedPage Today highlights studies and statistics on who is more commonly at risk, and what preventative measures can be taken. Self-harm is never simply a cry for attention and should be taken very seriously. Read full article here.

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Categories : Autism, Behavior, Depression, Executive Functioning, Monthly Wrap-Up, Parenting, Wrap Up

Tags : child play therapy toys, child therapy toys, childhood stress, counseling games, family roles, feelings, mental health disorders, Play Therapy, play therapy intervention, teens, therapy toys

September Play Therapy Wrap-Up

Posted by Gary Yorke

· September 27, 2017

· No Comments

“The activities that are the easiest, cheapest, and most fun to do – such as singing, playing games, reading, storytelling, and just talking and listening – are also the best for child development.” – Jerome Singer (professor, Yale University)

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Wondering what the essential toys for a playroom are? We can help with that! In Jennifer Taylor’s post about playroom essentials, she highlights all of the staple items needed for a complete playroom. From sand tray miniatures to play therapy games, Taylor shows you what you could be missing and why it’s important to include these items in your playroom experience. View her list and links to the perfect playroom here!

Articles

We all want to praise children when they succeed, but according to new international research, how you praise your child could either motivate them to work hard, or motivate them to cheat. According to the study, published in Psychological Science, praising a child for simply being smart could actually cause them to feel pressure to perform up to high expectations, which may cause them to cheat, whereas complimenting a child’s effort will motivate them to work hard, and perform at their full potential. Read the full article here!

“The resilience of an individual depends on drawing resources from many other systems,” said University of Minnesota psychologist Ann S. Masten, PhD, who has studied the subject of child resiliency for 40 years. According to Masten, fostering resiliency in children is accomplished not only by the child’s innate ability to cope and problem-solve, but also by the relationships and support they receive outside of themselves. This article outlines all of the important factors that help a developing child boost resilience, and why you should care. Read the full article here!

Every parent contends with stress. Work stress, family stress, financial stress. It’s important not to let that stress trickle down to your children, says Katie Hurley. In this article she outlines different types of stress, how to identify your triggers, and most importantly, how to practice letting go of those things that are eating you up. When we feel stress, our children see and experience that stress with us, so it’s important to demonstrate coping skills to alleviate those tensions. Read the full article here!

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Categories : Behavior, Child Development, Communication, Conflict, Feelings, Monthly Wrap-Up, Parenting, Play Therapy, Play Therapy books, Play Therapy Games, Play Therapy Toys, Reader Submissions, Social Issues, Wrap Up

Tags : child therapy toys, childhood stress, feelings, Play Therapy, play therapy dolls, play therapy toys, sand tray miniatures, sand tray therapy, stress, teens, therapeutic games for children, therapeutic games for teens, therapy games, therapy toys

Using Creepy Dolls in the Playroom by Donna M Hammontree, LCSW, RPT-S

Posted by Gary Yorke

· July 19, 2017

· 1 Comment

Freddie Krueger. Chuckie. Jason.

Parents and children alike ask me, “Why do you have those in here?”

I respond, “Why do you think I have those in here?”

Gary Yorke, PhD, recommended 1 or more of the play therapy dolls as good resources for the playroom. I was skeptical but bought 3. Deciding to assess the use of them for myself, I have determined there are multiple uses for the creepy therapy toys.

To communicate anger

A child may use the doll to let a therapist/school counselor/teacher/parent know he is angry with the adult for any reason by shaking the doll at the adult.

The creepy doll may be thrown across the room or beaten up to express anger at any bad experiences or people.

To communicate that a person has scared the child

A child who has been traumatized may ventilate that fear by using 1 or more of the dolls. Sometimes that fear may come from watching scary movies; in that case, I guide care takers in being more selective in visual experiences.

To express identification with, ventilate about, or gain control over one’s own creepiness

Children on the Autism Spectrum or with physical differences may use the dolls to process how they are treated by peers on the school playground.

To express identification with the oppositional and defiant nature of the dolls

A child who presents with defiance, for whatever reason, may identify with the dolls and act out that oppositional stance.

To gain control of one’s anxieties and unrealistic fears

Some children ask me to hide the dolls as they are afraid of the dolls. I may do so in a very early session but soon have the child take responsibility for the fear and find a way to cope with the creepy dolls themselves. They may hide the dolls, lock them up with my play chain, or throw them away in a pretend garbage can. Sometimes they add guards around the dolls to provide extra security. Or, we may dress up as a superhero and find the dolls together. This frequently leads to better coping at home.

To communicate low self-esteem, worthlessness, guilt

Play using the dolls may involve being bad and in trouble. I work to validate the feelings in the play and then acknowledge the creepy doll’s life experiences, such as mistreated, hurt, surviving difficult times, trying to protect himself.

To express whatever the child needs to vent about

Children will use the dolls or avoid them to communicate thoughts and feelings about situations that I may never fully understand. Being client-centered and open to their experiences is the key.

The professional benefits from an individual and family assessment of the client and knowledge of the child’s experience to fully understand and best respond to the child’s play. On the other hand, being in the moment with the child and aware of the therapists’ own emotional responses to the client is often enough to further assess, validate, encourage an adaptive response by the child.

“Why do you have those in here?”

Therapist’s response, “Please tell me!”

***

Donna is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist/Supervisor in private practice, in Savannah, GA. Visit her website: http://www.donnahammontree.com/

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Categories : Anger, Anxiety, Autism, Behavior, Bullying, Child Development, Communication, Feelings

Tags : child play therapy toys, child therapy toys, play therapy dolls, play therapy toys, therapy toys

June Play Therapy Wrap-Up

Posted by Gary Yorke

· July 6, 2017

· No Comments

“Deep meaning lies often in childish play.”

– Johann Friedrich von Schille (German poet 1759–1805)

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Dr. Gary’s play room is stacked to the ceiling with therapeutic games for children -literally! We got a peak at a few of those games, what they do, and where to get them! “As the president of the largest US publisher of therapeutic and counseling games, I have a lot more options than most child clinicians when it comes to acquiring games and selecting the ones I want to use in my sessions. Most of the time I try to be prescriptive. That is, I select games and activities most appropriate to the client I’m meeting with. Despite taking this approach I find myself gravitating to some therapy games much more than others.” Read more here!

Articles

Many clinicians will agree, the earlier you begin treatment for an illness or disability, the better the outcome is. Jan Ference, program director for Pathways to Healing, especially agrees that it is important to recognize and being treating serious neurological and behavioural issues as early as possible. The program diagnosis and treats children up to the age of six. “Finally the systems are starting to understand that if you put your money in early intervention, you actually will save buckets of money down the road and the outcomes for kids and families can be permanently changed, as opposed to the Band-Aid approach,” said Ference. Read more here!

There is a shortage of mental health professionals for children and teens in America. Oftentimes the school ends up being a child’s only resource for support and intervention. When a child needs more help than the school can provide, is can be hard for parents to navigate through their options for services, and then there is usually a wait-list involved in the scheduling processes. Without the proper support, children drop out of school, or worse, hurt themselves or others. How can we ensure that children and teens are getting all the support they need? Read more here.

“According to the World Health Organisation, worldwide 10-20% of children and adolescents experience mental illness. Half of all mental illnesses begin by the age of 14 and three-quarters by the mid-20s.” Yet mental illness is met with indifference that often leaves people feeling ashamed. It is important to spread awareness of mental illness so that people of all ages feel supported and can get the help they need. Read more here!

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Categories : Monthly Wrap-Up, Wrap Up

Tags : board games, child therapy, child therapy toys, counseling games, Play Therapy, play therapy intervention, therapeutic games for children, therapy games