Why Play Therapy?

According to the Canadian Play Therapy Association, Play Therapy is a powerful tool for treating cognitive, behavioural and emotional struggles. Play is our first language. Just as adults use words to communicate, children use play. Therapeutic play allows the child’s innate self-healing abilities to be activated, supporting the child’s growth and development on an emotional and psychological level. In play therapy, children do not have to talk about their problems to feel better and guide their therapy by choosing the activities that they engage in including but not limited to; play, art, writing, creating, and talking.

Research suggests Play Therapy is an effective mental health approach, regardless of age, gender, or the nature of the problem, and works best when a parent, family member or caregiver is actively involved in the treatment process.

Play Therapy is the foundation of our therapeutic work at Growing Roots. We believe that families are best served using an integrative practice, and therefore are up to date with a number of evidence based trainings that compliment Play Therapy. This allows us to adapt for children and families of all ages.

“There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings”

-Hodding Carter