Play Therapy Center for Children and Families
Play is a perfect way to engage children in therapy. It is developmentally appropriate, allows children to express both comfortable and uncomfortable thoughts and emotions, and gives the therapist valuable insights into the child’s world.
Play therapy uses the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development. Nazareth's center is one of only about 25 centers approved by the Association for Play Therapy for play therapy education in the country.
This care at Nazareth may include co-treatment with physical therapy, speech therapy, art therapy, or music therapy. For example, a child may experience music therapy and play therapy at the same time.
Potential clients
Serves ages 3 to 10.
Play therapy is appropriate for children experiencing a wide variety of social, emotional, behavioral, and learning problems, including anger management, grief and loss, divorce and family dissolution, physical and sexual abuse, domestic violence, crisis and trauma, anxiety, and depression.
Session schedule
The clinic offers 50-minute individual weekly sessions during Nazareth's fall and spring semesters.
A child typically attends 12 to 20 sessions.
Student clinicians
Trained, supervised student interns from Nazareth programs such as creative arts therapy and social work provide most of the care.
Training for parents and professionals
For parents: The clinic periodically offers training for parents in play skills to use with their children.
For professionals: The clinic offers one- or two-day training workshops on parent-child play sessions, child-centered play therapy, and clinical supervision.
Fees
The clinic offers affordable services. Please contact the clinic for the current fees.
Location
In the Wellness and Rehabilitation Institute on the Nazareth campus. The clinic space is accessible to people with disabilities.
Parking
Clinic parking spaces are located in front of the York Institute building and in G Lot at the end of the building. You will receive a parking pass before you begin therapy or at your first session. Please make sure it's visible on your dashboard while you're parked on campus. If you receive a parking ticket, let your clinic supervisor know.