Play therapy is a valuable tool in psychotherapy with children that has been shown to be effective in the treatment of mental illness and behavioral problems. In play therapy, the therapist follows the child's lead through play, and the child expresses thoughts and feelings that might be difficult to communicate otherwise. The therapist creates a space to allow children to practice play and pretend, thus allowing the therapeutic alliance to develop. The eight tenets of play therapy are discussed, and an illustrative case vignette that demonstrates the common ego defenses and developmental hurdles that can be addressed in play therapy is presented.
Keywords: Child psychiatry; child and adolescent therapy; child psychotherapy; counseling; play therapy.