Play Therapy

Play therapy, sometimes called interactive psychotherapy, is used with children and some adolescents. Some children have difficulty talking directly about emotionally charged issues. These children often work best in the metaphor of play. A child may use dolls and a doll house in play therapy to express intense feelings about a divorce or conflicts in the home. A psychiatric office which is set up for play therapy may appear different from a traditional medical office and even from a traditional psychiatric office. Children are often pleasantly surprised that it is not as intense and interrogatory as they had expected. The Secret Worry by Benedek (Human Sciences Press, NY, NY) 1984 explains play therapy so that children can understand it.

Northern County Psychiatric Associates has on its staff a child psychiatrist and clinical social workers who are experienced with play therapy and other modes of therapy for children, adolescents and adults. We have experience treating ADHD, depression, anxiety, conduct disorder and school problems. We are have offices in Lutherville and Monkton, Maryland. We werve patients from Baltimore County, Harford County and Carroll County. Our Monkton office also serves patients from York County, Pennsylvania. Please see our web site for more information about our services.