Why is my child playing games, drawing pictures, and reading story books in their psychological therapy sessions?
This is a question that many parents ask when they begin working with a psychologist, and there are a number of reasons that activities such as these may be utilised as part of psychological therapy with children. First and foremost among these is; to build rapport. Attending psychological therapy can be a daunting and nerve-wracking experience, especially for young kids who don’t know what to expect. Playing games can be a fun way to help build a bond of trust and cooperation between a child and their therapist, help them to relax in a new and unfamiliar environment, and create a positive experience for them as they begin their sessions.
Play is also an important part of how children learn, and can help them to develop important skills, such as developing an understanding of how to interact with others socially, how to manage strong emotions when they arise (for example, when we don’t win a game), or when we have to collaborate with others to decide what to play or pack away games or toys together. Play or other fun creative activities can also help children to externalise their emotional experiences, making it easier for them to discuss.
Similarly, reading story books can be a very effective way of introducing psychoeducational concepts without directly discussing the child’s personal difficulties – for example, reading about different characters who face challenges in managing certain emotions or how to respond to certain situations.
So if you feel that your psychologist is “just playing games” with your child in their therapy sessions, take a moment to reconsider the importance of play in creating relationships of trust, and its vital role in learning.
