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Play Therapy
The use of play and familiar toys or games with children and adolescents (and sometimes adults) to help find the causes of disturbed behaviors, to desensitize them to uncomfortable situations, and to help develop coping skills or work through develop mental, emotional, or psychological difficulties. Play therapists are trained and often licensed. The activities or toy/games are chosen intentionally for therapeutic outcomes. “Free play” is often used to help diagnose difficulties or to assist children in expressing feelings that they are not able to verbalize. Structured play and group play are used when the therapist deems them beneficial.