Child, Teen and Adult Psychotherapy Services in San Diego
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Play Therapy Series: Play Therapy with Adults

8/7/2019

 

By: Panicha McGuire, LMFT, RPT ​

Welcome to the final blog of my play therapy blog series!  The series goes over how play therapy works with children, teens, and adults.  Don’t forget to check out my previous posts on play therapy with children and teens!

Play therapy with adults! Does that really exist?  Why, yes it does.  Although most adults think they have outgrown using play as a way to explore and experience the world, adults already engage in play on a daily basis. Do you dress up for themed parties?  Or play sports?  Sing along to music?  Maybe even a game of poker?  Play is always a part of our lives and it is a way for us relieve stress.  
There is actually a significant amount of research behind the neuroscience of play.  Not only is play a helpful way to help adults learn and improve their overall well-being, play can help therapists get through to the deeper issues.  I find that my clients tend to open up more when they are relaxed and can have fun while putting aside their rational and objective “adult” selves.
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In my practice, I use play therapy with adults to treat issues such as grief and loss, trauma, emotional development issues, social communication, and mood disorders.  Some examples of play therapy activities I use with my adult clients are:
  • Role playing a dialogue 
  • Creating a ceremony of “letting go” of something that isn’t useful
  • Making up a mantra for yourself
  • Using metaphors to uncover deeper rooted issues or to process emotional wounds
  • Using sandtray to process trauma
  • Drawing or painting 
  • Poetry

Like any other treatment methods, the most important thing about using play therapy is to be sure that it fits the client.  These techniques are just examples of how I’ve used play with some of my adult clients. At Thrive, we always match our interventions and techniques to our client’s unique needs and goals.  

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For more information about working with Panicha in play therapy, please check out her bio here or feel free to reach out to us via phone! ​​
At Thrive, we take a positive, client centered approach to therapy that is focused on creating a genuine connection with our clients.  If you would like to talk with a Thrive Therapist about yourself, your child, or teen attending therapy, please reach out to us by phone at 858-342-1304. 
 
As always, thanks for reading and comments are always welcome regarding any issues around child or teen psychotherapy services in San Diego by Thrive Therapy Studio.  
 
To stay in the loop on the services offered and to receive updated information about Thrive, please feel free to sign up for the newsletter through the following link: http://eepurl.com/cvGx5n.

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Call Today!  858-342-1304

Thrive Therapy Studio
5230 Carroll Canyon Rd. Ste 110
​San Diego, CA 92121
"Watch your thoughts, 
They become words. 
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They become actions. 
Watch your actions, 
They become habits. 
Watch your habits, 
They become character; 

It becomes your destiny."

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Thrive Therapy Studio Therapists Offer Child, Teen, Adult, Marriage and Family Psychotherapy Counseling Services in San Diego, California.
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  • Welcome
  • About Thrive
    • Meet the Thrive Team >
      • Dr. Erica Wollerman
      • Dr. Maria Fowlks
      • Jennifer Gonzalez, LMFT
      • Ying-Ying Shiue, LPCC
      • Kim Macias, APCC
      • Dr. Andrea Seldomridge
      • Molly Llamas, AMFT
      • Abbey Stewart, AMFT
    • Appointment Information
  • Contact
  • Services
    • Group Therapy at Thrive >
      • Anxiety Group For Teens
      • Parent Support Group
      • Middle School Social-Emotional Processing Group
      • Young Adults Group (18-24)
    • Therapy for Children
    • Therapy for Teens and Young Adults
    • Therapy for Adults
    • Family Therapy
    • Parent Consultation
  • Resources
    • Information About Therapy
    • Academic Resources
    • San Diego Resources
    • Covid-19 Resources
    • Anti-Racism Resources
    • Recommended Reading
    • Resources for Specific Challenges >
      • Addiction and Recovery Information
      • ADHD
      • Anger Management
      • Anxiety
      • Autism/Developmental Disorders
      • Child Abuse and Domestic Violence
      • Depression
      • Eating Disorders/Body Image Issues
      • Personal Growth/Managing Perfectionism
      • LGBTQIA
      • Parenting
      • Relationships
      • Stress Management/Mindfulness
      • Teen Issues
  • Blog