play therapy
Quick Summary
Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy where children express feelings and conflicts through play rather than verbalization. This approach is particularly relevant in child psychiatry, a branch of medicine focused on the mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders of children. Child psychiatrists must understand developmental stages and often gather information from adults close to the child, as direct verbal communication can be challenging. While many adult therapy techniques apply, play therapy offers a specialized method for children to communicate their inner world more freely.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.