Ruth Wharton, M.A. With over 10 years of experience counseling children, Ruth Wharton, M.A. works therapeutically with children through the language of play. Trained as an experiential play therapist, gestalt therapist, and counselor, Ruth supports children to express their emotions and establish balance and a sense of well being. Ruth brings to her private practice a skilled ability to witness and frame her clients' experiences with compassion and a vision towards health.
Play Therapy “Play is the most natural method of self-healing that childhood affords” -Erik Erikson This quote, from a famous developmental psychologist, explains the profound value of play in a child's life. Play is the language of children and it only makes sense to approach therapy with children using their language. Children do not have the developmental ability to express their feelings verbally and therefore adult therapies are inappropriate in meeting a child's needs. Play Therapy provides a safe and inviting environment for a child to express their emotions and find ways to recreate emotionally stressful experiences with an accepting and supportive adult. The play therapist is skillfully trained to reflect the inner world of the child and support the child in finding empowerment and resolution to their struggles. Play Therapy is very effective in helping children who experience a wide variety of issues. Some of which include:
Research shows that when children are struggling, having a strong and supportive significant relationship with an adult can greatly improve a child's self-esteem and resiliency. While children are greatly impacted and affected by family, teachers, and friends, the play therapist has an important role in a child's healing and provides an objective view that many family members do not have.
Prior to beginning play therapy, the therapist will meet with the parent(s) to learn about the child and family. During this time, the play therapy process is discussed and the parents and therapist will begin a relationship working together to best support the child. Following this initial session with the parents, the child will begin therapy. Each session is around 45 minutes followed by a 10-15 minute phone call or in person meeting with the parent(s).
During the sessions, there are a wide variety of toys available to encourage the child to express their emotions and struggles. Children use a wide variety of styles to facilitate expression such as art, sand play, dramatic play, and fantasy play. Children will choose toys to represent their feelings and recreate the issues they are struggling with. Because play therapy is child directed, children can create therapeutic play at their developmental level and choose an appropriate pace to explore their struggles.  The respectful and supportive relationship with the play therapist helps foster a sense of security when recreating emotionally stressful experiences. Through the Play Therapy process, the child learns healthy expression of their emotions and needs. The child's play evolves to where the child gains empowerment and comfort in the issue they have struggled with and reestablishes a sense of balance and wellbeing. |
