Local therapist communicates with kids through play therapy

National Play Therapy Week started Sunday, February 1st.

“It becomes me getting into their world the only way I have found that I can do that is through play”,” said Leah Miller, a Registered Play Therapist.

Miller learned first-hand the importance of play therapy she says her first client was a two year old.

“She came in sat on the couch, she started crying I started crying I didn’t know what to do”.

Miller tells ABC-7 children participate in counseling sessions in a play room. Usually, it’s child-directed, meaning the kid gets to choose how to play, and the she observes.

“They’re not going to sit down on that couch and tell you what’s really bothering them”.

Young children haven’t developed the verbal skills to explain how they are feeling. Miller says ” even though it looks like play it really is learning”. Advocates say play therapy respects a child’s unique developmental level. ” Each child is very different the way they present their trauma is going to be different every time”.

Miller is the owner of The Counseling Center of Expressive Arts she has been counselling for twenty years. Many kids who see Miller don’t know it’s therapy, the playrooms provide different forms of expression.

There’s a kitchen area, blocks and the sound box this allows her to get into the child’s world. Families can choose play therapy, or they may be directed by another doctor.

Part of the awareness week is trying to help parents recognize the importance of play therapy and recognize that they can ask for a referral to a play therapist.

For more information on Play Therapy or Counseling contact:

Leah Miller M.D., LPC, RPT

Counseling Center of Expressive Arts

915.845.3122

Or click on this link: http://www.a4pt.org/