A child's behaviors are a reflection of the child's inner thoughts and feelings.  We can learn so much about a child through observing and reflecting on the child's behaviors.  Children who have behavioral problems are communicating some form of emotional distress; when adults are attuned to the underlying messages that children send through their behavior, they can better understand and assist the child.  Quoting Dr. Clark Moustakas, a pioneer in child psychotherapy, "A child acts right when he feels right."  This philosophy guides our therapeutic work with children.

Recommended Reading for Parents:

Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child ~ John Gottman, Joan Declaire, and Daniel Goleman

Parenting From the Inside Out ~ Daniel Siegel and Mary Hartzell

How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk ~ Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

The Developing Mind ~ Daniel Siegel

What are some of the goals of play therapy?  It depends on the child's particular needs.  Some children express their emotional distress through externalizing, or "acting out" behaviors.  For children who act out with aggressive behavior or angry outbursts, the goal of therapy is to assist the child in finding acceptable alternatives for expressing anger and aggressive impulses.  Other children express their emotional distress through internalizing, or withdrawing.  The goal of therapy for internalizing children is to assist them in acknowleging and expressing their feelings within supportive relationships.