At Purple Sky Counseling in Salt Lake County, we understand that the healing process is unique for each individual. That’s why we offer a variety of treatment options, including play therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Play therapy and EMDR are two distinct types of therapy that are often used in combination to help patients heal from trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. In this blog post, we’ll explain how these two modalities work together to help you heal.
What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses play to help children express their feelings and work through emotional issues. Play therapy is usually conducted in a safe, comfortable, and non-threatening environment.
During play therapy, the therapist will observe the child’s play and use it to gain insight into the child’s thoughts and feelings. The therapist may also use activities and games to help the child build trust and express themselves in a safe, supportive environment.
Play therapy is often used to help children who have experienced trauma, loss, or separation issues. It can also help children cope with issues such as anxiety, depression, and anger.
What is EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a type of psychotherapy that uses eye movements, tapping, and other forms of stimulation to help the patient process and heal from traumatic experiences.
During EMDR, the therapist will guide the patient through a series of steps that involve recalling the traumatic event, identifying the emotional and physical feelings associated with it, and connecting those feelings to the present day.
The therapist will then use a series of bilateral stimulation techniques, such as eye movements, tapping, or auditory tones, to help the patient reprocess the traumatic experience in a safe and controlled way. The goal of EMDR is to help the patient come to terms with the traumatic event and move forward in a healthy way.
How Do Play Therapy and EMDR Work Together?
Play therapy and EMDR can be used together to help children and adults heal from trauma and other mental health issues.
For children, play therapy can help build trust and foster an environment of safety and support. This can make it easier for the child to express their thoughts and feelings and talk about their experiences.
Once the child is comfortable expressing themselves, the therapist can use EMDR to help them reprocess and heal from the traumatic experience. The combination of play therapy and EMDR can help the child make sense of their emotions, process the trauma, and move forward in a healthy way.
For adults, play therapy can be used to help them reconnect with their inner child and process their emotions in a safe, supportive environment. The therapist can then use EMDR to help the patient reprocess and heal from the traumatic experience.
The combination of play therapy and EMDR can help the patient make sense of their emotions, process the trauma, and move forward in a healthy way.
Conclusion
At Purple Sky Counseling in Salt Lake County, we understand that the healing process is unique for each individual. That’s why we offer a variety of treatment options, including play therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Play therapy and EMDR can be used together to help children and adults heal from trauma and other mental health issues. The combination of play therapy and EMDR can help the patient make sense of their emotions, process the trauma, and move forward in a healthy way.
If you’re interested in learning more about how play therapy and EMDR can help you heal, contact us at Purple Sky Counseling today.