Feelings expressed through play help kids heal
Toys help children communicate with therapists

Note: The names of the patient and mother have been changed to protect their privacy.

HOUSTON, Texas, May 23, 2005 – “Samantha” threw fits.

Registered play therapist Kathleen Pottkotter works with a young patient in the playroom at the Memorial Hermann Counseling Center .

The 8-year-old is the middle child in a home-schooled family with five kids. She would lose her temper for no apparent reason, and her frequent outbursts took their toll on the entire family.

“We were just having trouble with life,” said her mother, “Jill.”

The day Samantha's tantrum lasted five hours, Jill knew something had to give. Jill's father suggested the Memorial Hermann Counseling Center. For the past several months, Jill has brought Samantha to the center regularly from her home in central Texas .

“I knew of Memorial Hermann, and I trusted that,” explained Jill, who formerly lived in the Houston area.

The Memorial Hermann Counseling Center opened in October, 2004. Its seven counselors provide a full range of outpatient services for children and adults, including academic and mental health assessment testing; drug and alcohol treatment; stress and anger management; grief counseling; treatment for depression and anxiety; and individual, family and relationship counseling.

“The center was created to help address a huge, unmet need for mental health services,” said Karen Furlin, director of counseling services. According to the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County, more than 55,000 adults with mental illness and 54,000 children with serious emotional disturbances are in need of services in Harris County alone. “Many of them can't find the help they need because of a shortage of qualified professionals,” said Furlin.

In particularly short supply are registered play therapists like Kathleen Pottkotter, PhD, LPC, RPT-S, who works with Samantha at the Memorial Hermann Counseling Center. Pottkotter and two other registered play therapists treat children there.

“Young children are usually not able to express their thoughts and feelings in words,” Pottkotter said. “Play therapy is particularly helpful in these situations because symbolic play provides children the opportunity to work through their problems in an empathetic, unconditional and nurturing environment.”

Play is no frivolous activity for youngsters. It's how they learn about their own capabilities, social rules and problem solving, and it aids in communication.

In play therapy, children express their feelings and life situations through toys rather than words. With the help and guidance of trained specialists, they can gain a sense of control and a better understanding of their personal experiences.

“They will go to the playroom and play out what is in their minds and hearts,” Pottkotter explained.

She lets the children lead the process and make progress at their own speed. The child selects toys from a room filled with dolls, stuffed animals, punching bags, clay, paints, a puppet theater and other toys.

Pottkotter and the play therapists at the Center carefully selected the toys in the play therapy room, picking items that can help kids express their feelings or project their experiences. Patients often use a small sandbox, for example, to bury or uncover objects that symbolize their problems or behaviors.

While Pottkotter sometimes adds new toys to the collection, she never removes an item. “Sometimes, this is the only consistency in a child's life,” she said. The children look forward to their visits and depend on being able to find their favorite toys.

Issues that bring children to the Memorial Hermann Counseling Center range from learning disabilities – such as attention deficit disorder – to family changes such as divorce, moving to a different home, death of a family member or even loss of a pet. Children may also be exhibiting stress through aggressive behavior, sleep difficulties, problems separating from parents and toileting issues. Memorial Hermann's Child Life program also refers patients who need help dealing with the emotional results of severe illness or injury.

In many cases, family issues contribute to a child's need for play therapy, and they can have a profound effect on a child's treatment. Family involvement in the therapy process is important to the treatment plan at the Center and may involve individual counseling for the adults as well as training in parenting skills. Pottkotter indirectly tries to help parents by modeling behavior that the child responds to positively. Regardless of whether the home environment changes, children can use their new skills to deal with life more effectively. Play therapists at the Center help promote each child's unique strengths in addition to the development of new skills.

While other counselors may choose to bring parents into the play room occasionally, play therapy time is a one-on-one experience with Pottkotter. She consults with parents about the child's progress, but she doesn't discuss specifics. Kids learn on their first visit that their secrets stay in the play room, unless they express a desire to hurt themselves or others, or unless they reveal they have been touched inappropriately. “I believe in play therapy,” Pottkotter said. In particular, she notes great progress among abused children. “I've just seen it work wonders.” Research indicates that children treated with play therapy resolve their problems in about 20 visits, on average, although progress varies greatly.

As for Samantha, play therapy is showing positive results.

“She doesn't throw fits anymore,” Jill said. “She is able to help herself stop and calm down.”

Samantha's relationships with her siblings are improving as well, particularly with her brothers. “She even hugged her older brother goodnight,” Jill brags.

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