Play Therapy Impact implement neuroscience discoveries into theory and practice (Michael & Luke, 2016). Combining the science of the brain along with evidence- based play therapy encourages neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to adapt and change in response to new experiences (DeMaster et al., 2019; de Oliveria, 2020).
In play therapy the child has an opportunity to explore emotions, worries, and imagination, as well as acquire and practice appropriate coping strategies, while the brain has an opportunity to develop new positive neural pathways by experiencing coping skills in a healthy environment (Farley & Whipple, 2017). This neurobiologically,
allows cognitively, (Wheeler & Taylor, 2016).
Play therapists are familiar with the therapeutic powers of play which offer warm, positive communication, foster emotional wellness, offer empathetic understanding and help the child create new emotional, cognitive, and social skills to help build and strengthen resilience. As Schaefer & Peabody (2016) observe, it is the aforementioned elements that change dysfunctional thoughts, feelings and/or behaviors.
Play Therapy Interventions Interventions that allow for children to be aware of body, heart, and mind while working within the therapeutic powers of play provide an opportunity for exploring self in a healthy and safe environment. Directive and nondirective
activities supported with therapist attunement showcase the power of play. for holistic development physically, and socioemotionally
Cultivating Body Awareness Often when a child is asked, “Where do you experience anger in your body?” they will respond with, “In my head.” Helping children understand that the whole body, and not just the mind, creates and responds to emotions allows them to expand awareness of their feelings. Doing an upregulating activity like dancing or jumping and then saying, “Freeze!” creates a pathway for awareness of the heart racing, muscles moving, and supports the child’s understanding of how the limbic system may respond when it is activated (Gomez, 2019). In addition, upregulation can help calm the back of the brain when a child is in a hypo-arousal state, allowing them to return to their window of tolerance, the area in which the child can experience optimal regulation.
Downregulating activities such as breathing, yoga, or mindfulness enable children to re-engage the prefrontal cortex while noticing the calmness in the body. Through these activities, a child can connect with the body as a resource for identifying emotional experiences and needs, as well as appropriate coping skills.
Identifying feelings Children are often taught, either directly or
indirectly, that some
feelings are “good” while others are “bad.” For example, it may be communicated that only happiness is acceptable, whereas anger is not tolerated. Communication and integration of all feelings fosters emotional wellness, increases resiliency, and improves cohesiveness within the family. Play therapists model a feelings language through our own tracking and reflecting within the therapy session and offer opportunities for children to explore emotions interpersonally. Family therapy and social role play create space for interpersonal exploration of emotion as well. As Dan Seigel (2014) claims, “If you can name it, you can tame it.” Play therapy provides a developmentally appropriate
Limbic System - Alarm System Thalamus - watchtower Hypothalamus - releases Adrenal/Cortisol
Pre-Frontal cortex Right side of the brain - images and emotions Left side of the brain - logic, language and reasoning
Amygdala - Fight, flight and freeze Hippocampus - Longterm memory/"remember when" center; attaches feelings to memories
General Facts about the brain:
It's not fully formed until age 25 When the back of the brain, (the alarm system) has been activated, the thinking brain (prefrontal cortex) can not be accessed Research has shown that when connection is threatned, the will stimulate the back of the brain
Left Side
Right side- Images and emotions; controls left side of body
Left side - Logic. language, processing; controls right side of body
Neural pathways - attaches feelings to experiences; like roadways in our brains
Brain stem/Reptilian Brain - controls hunger,thirst, and sex drive; responsible for circulatory and respiratory system
Limbic system - alarm system of our brain By: Peri Gilbert Reed
Brain Stem/
Reptillian brain
Thalamus - is always scanning for danger; danger can be real or perceived
Hypothalamus - drops adrenaline and cortisal
Amygdala - responsible for F3 mode: Fight, Flight and Freeze
Hippocampus - attaches feelings to memories; responsible for longterm memory
Right Side
Limbic System
Hypo Thalamus AmygdalA
Hippo- Campus
Neural
Pathways Thalamus
16 | PLAYTHERAPY | June 2022 |
www.a4pt.org
Brain stem (aka Reptillian brain)- Controls hunger, thirst, and sex drive. Also responsible for respiratory and circulatory functions. This part of the brain asks "Am I safe?"
Neural Pathways - attaches feelings to experiences
Creates road ways in our brain that can be positive ("I'm loved") or negative ("I don't matter")
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