Animal-Assisted Play Therapy®
Animal-Assisted Play Therapy® is a specialized approach that integrates the therapeutic benefits of animals into the play therapy process. At Bethesda Play Therapy and Healing Center, we offer animal-assisted play therapy in Bethesda, MD to help children feel safe, supported, and more comfortable as they engage in therapy.
The presence of a trained therapy animal can help reduce anxiety, increase emotional regulation, and create a sense of connection that supports healing and growth.
How Animal-Assisted Play Therapy® Helps
Animal-assisted play therapy can be especially helpful for children who feel anxious, withdrawn, or hesitant to engage in traditional therapy. The relationship with a therapy animal can:
- reduce anxiety and stress
- increase feelings of safety and comfort
- support emotional expression
- improve engagement in therapy
- build trust and connection
- enhance social and emotional skills
What to Expect
Sessions may include interaction with a trained therapy animal as part of the therapeutic process. The therapist carefully integrates the animal into play-based interventions based on the child’s needs, comfort level, and therapeutic goals.
Not all sessions will involve direct interaction, and participation is always guided by the child’s readiness and preferences.
Who Can Benefit
Animal-assisted play therapy may be helpful for children experiencing:
- anxiety or excessive worry
- trauma or stressful experiences
- emotional regulation challenges
- social difficulties
- behavioral concerns
- difficulty engaging in traditional therapy
Our Approach
We use animal-assisted play therapy in a thoughtful, ethical, and developmentally appropriate way. The focus remains on the child’s emotional needs, with the therapy animal serving as a supportive part of the process.
Get Started
If you are interested in animal-assisted play therapy in Bethesda, MD, we invite you to reach out to learn more about how this approach can support your child’s healing and growth.