molly and me
counseling and training centerWhat is Theraplay®?
Theraplay is a child and family therapy for building and enhancing attachment, self-esteem, trust in others, and joyful engagement. It is based on the natural patterns of playful, healthy interaction between parent and child and is personal, physical, and fun. Theraplay interactions focus on four essential qualities found in parent-child relationships: Structure, Engagement, Nurture, and Challenge. Theraplay sessions create an active, emotional connection between the child and parent or caregiver, resulting in a changed view of the self as worthy and lovable and of relationships as positive and rewarding.
In treatment, the Theraplay Practitioner guides the parent and child through playful, fun games, developmentally challenging activities, and tender, nurturing activities. The very act of engaging each other in this way helps the parent regulate the child’s behavior and communicate love, joy, and safety to the child. It helps the child feel secure, cared for, connected and worthy.
We call this “building relationships from the inside out.”
Theraplay® is a child and family therapy for enhancing and building attachment, self-esteem, trust in others, and joyful engagement. It is based on the natural patterns of playful, healthy interaction between parent and child and is personal, physical, and fun. Theraplay interactions focus on four essential qualities found in parent-child relationships: Structure, Engagement, Nurture, and Challenge.
Theraplay sessions create an active, emotional connection between the child and parent or caregiver, resulting in a changed view of the self as worthy and lovable and of relationships as positive and rewarding.
Theraplay is appropriate for children of all ages, including babies, and when combined with other techniques, it is a great therapy for teenagers too. With Theraplay, family interaction patterns have improved and school professionals and pediatricians have reported positive changes in children’s behavior, self-esteem, and connections with others. Theraplay can help children who have experienced trauma begin to heal, can help children with developmental disorders feel more comfortable with social interaction, and can help families to experience happiness and connection.
The Theraplay Institute specializes in helping children with:
- Shy, withdrawn, or clingy behavior
- Acting-out, angry, or disruptive behavior
- Defiant, oppositional or controlling behavior
- Behavioral problems at school or with peers
- Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Developmental disorders such as Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders
- A history of trauma, abuse, or neglect
- Attachment disorder due to adoption or multiple changes in living arrangements
- A history of social deprivation due to living in an institution
- Psychological trauma due to medical care or serious illness
At The Theraplay Institute, we understand that committing to therapy for your child is a major decision, often made when the family is in crises or has “tried everything else.” One of the major advantages of Theraplay is that change can happen very quickly once treatment begins. So, even though the first sessions are more about “getting to know you and your child”, you will probably notice significant progress shortly thereafter.
Your first appointment is an information-gathering interview, preferably with both parents. Next, we ask you and your child to complete a set of simple tasks together, such as make two toy animals play with each other. This is called the Marschak Interaction Method (MIM) assessment. The MIM is videotaped, and your therapist will look at the video in preparation for your next appointment at which you and your therapist will discuss the interaction between you and your child and the therapist’s recommendation for treatment.
At your next session, your therapist will demonstrate with you the Theraplay activities in order to familiarize you with what to expect. Theraplay activities are playful and fun, and done in combinations that focus on your child’s needs for structure, engagement, nurture and challenge—the four Theraplay dimensions.
Then, Theraplay treatment begins with your child. After every three Theraplay sessions, your therapist will meet with you without your child to discuss progress and goals and to help you support the Theraplay treatment at home.
Typically, the total number of sessions is 19-28, with four follow-up sessions over the next year.
Theraplay Treatment Outcome Research
Theraplay has evidence-based status. Theraplay has been accepted by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrationfor inclusion on the National Registry for Evidence-based Programs and practices!
Certified Therapists at Molly and Me Counseling
At Molly and Me Counseling, Molly Gratton is a certified level II Theraplay® therapist with over 20 years of experience provide Theraplay to children and families. She provides ongoing training and education to therapists across the team in order to provide Theraplay to children and families from hard places.
