How Can Telehealth Play Therapy Help My Child?

Nothing can replace face-to-face human interaction. It is what we are designed to do. Unfortunately, we live in the Digital Age. This means concessions must be made to maintain our human needs. For our children, a big step in that direction is telehealth play therapy.

Children learn an infinite number of lessons through the act of playing. We must never interfere with this process. Your family may move far away. Your child could have an illness, injury, or disability. Or, perhaps, something like a global health crisis could happen. Regardless, to play is the thing.

What is Telehealth Play Therapy?

Let’s begin by discussing child-centered play therapy (CCPT). This is a therapeutic approach for treating children through the use of play. They communicate through the activities. They can also heal through play. Children with physical, emotional, and cognitive issues have experienced remarkable results when working with a child-centered play therapist.

Telehealth play therapy is the remote version of CCPT. Almost all health practitioners have moved toward offering some degree of virtual sessions or treatment. Telehealth is the word for this trend. The good news is that your child’s needs can be met even when external conditions are challenging. Telehealth play therapy is the ideal way to help your child navigate this unusual time. They get the treatment they require. Just as importantly, they also get a chance to develop their imaginations and their social skills.

How Can Telehealth Play Therapy Help My Child?

1. Get Them Moving

Whether a child is able-bodied or has a disability, movement of any kind should be non-negotiable. It is way too easy for them to stare at screens all day. Their telehealth play therapist will guide them through physical activities that are both healing and fun.

2. Involve the Family

Playtime should not be limited to any one person or age range. A skilled telehealth play therapist knows how to use the session to help families bond and learn together. For example, teamwork can be developed through a basic movement activity like a scavenger hunt.

3. Online Games

Don’t cringe. This does not have to mean passivity. Such online games can connect with benefit #1 above. Your kids will be moving within their ability. They’ll hone motor skills and cognitive skills. Once again, they will also have fun. These are games, after all.

4. Storytelling

At its best, playtime fires up our imaginations. Once that creativity is flowing, it only feels natural to create and share stories. Storytelling just may feel like the safest or easiest way for your child to communicate. It can also be crucial for developing fine motor skills and/or working on speech issues.

5. Emotional Regulation

Telehealth play therapy often creates openings for uncomfortable feelings to be discussed. Your child’s therapist will conjure up activities that include talking about what you feel. This can be a powerful release for any child. In turn, the therapist and the family gain a useful window into the child’s mind. Such information can enhance treatment and recovery.

Where Can I Learn More About Telehealth Play Therapy?

It is essential that parents grasp the importance of play in their child’s life. But it’s the therapist’s job to also clarify the difference between play and play therapy. To your kid, it may all be fun. In reality, certain types of play can be very beneficial — especially in this day and age.

If you’d like to learn more, I’m just a phone call away! I’d love to talk with you about your child and about online counseling and telehealth play therapy. Please feel free to reach out to set up a consultation.