When you think of Colorado Springs, the first things that come to mind are the Rocky Mountains, mining towns, outdoor adventures, and recreational marijuana dispensaries. Indeed, you will find multiple dispensaries throughout the city and buy your favorite weed as long as you are of legal age.
However, not many people are aware that Colorado Springs is also a hotbed for treatment and recovery centers. They offer play therapy, neurofeedback, neuropsychological evaluation, and substance abuse management. It’s easy to find a facility that specializes in play therapy in Colorado Springs.
One of the advantages of getting treatment in Colorado Springs is its natural wonders. Just drive a few kilometers away from downtown, and you will find yourself in a seemingly new world. And as you know, nature has its healing powers, which complements the treatment methods employed by the rehab and recovery facilities in the city.
What is Play Therapy, and does it even work?
Just look at the troop of monkeys, and you will realize how play is a crucial aspect for the young to learn the hierarchical roles in their society. But it is not limited to monkeys. Predator cats also play-fight to hone their hunting skills.
Over the years, professionals have learned how people in therapy are also benefiting from fun activities instead. It is particularly advantageous for kids since play therapy is an enjoyable activity that takes the pressure out of recovery.
Rather than talking about what ails them, they would be able to confront traumatic events better through role-playing, for instance. It is also an opportunity for them to express themselves in a way they feel comfortable, particularly when they are not as eloquent using words.
In the United Kingdom, the positive results from play therapy can be gleaned from as high as 83% of the 8,000 kids included in the study. The method seems to work better in severe cases, consistently showing higher values across the board.
An alternative way of confronting trauma
Traumatic events are pushed inside the deepest recesses of the mind because they are too painful to confront directly. Consider a 5-year-old boy who is a victim of domestic violence, for instance. He will experience a range of emotions, from feeling hurt, betrayal, distrust, and anger. But his faculty for words is not yet sophisticated enough for him to verbalize what is inside his heart.
As a result, he will feel frustrated if he thinks nobody understands him. However, with the help of a professional and play therapy, the boy can understand and express all his emotions; bring out his fears, anger, and vulnerability to the surface where they become more tangible.
Play therapy is a combination of individual sessions and group activities. Some methods only involve one-on-one interaction with the therapist. More often than not, it could be the result of external factors, such as there are no other children within the age group where the child-patient can mingle.
Nevertheless, one method is no better or worse than the other. The treatment method is usually outlined after hours of interview and assessment involving the child. There is also no set timelines. It’s not a race to treat as many children the quickest time possible. The crucial thing is to make some progress throughout the duration of the play therapy treatment. If you feel your child needs to express themselves better, consider going to a place that does play therapy in Colorado Springs.