Parenting Techniques & Strategies

Parenting Techniques

Parenting Techniques using Synergetic Play Therapy Strategies

My guess would be that as a parent or caregiver you are feeling kind of, if not completely, lost on how to connect with your kid. Your search has likely been exhausting as you look for the “golden treasure” of parenting approaches. If only it were that simple - a one approach strategy. It’s not. Let that sink in - it’s not. Your child is unique. Their story is unique. You are unique. Your story is unique. So when I start to work with you, I consider all of this, and remind you often that you know yourself and your kid the best.

However, one approach over the years that I have found to be so helpful to parents is what I have practiced in the therapy room with my kiddo clients. It is called Synergetic Play Therapy. In this style of play therapy, I name my own feelings that arise while watching a child play. It allows each child to see me as being authentic, which helps them trust me. Children naturally set us up to feel the way they feel so that they can see what we do with our big feelings. It gives them an idea how to deal with the emotions they came into the world having no idea how to manage. Naming your own feelings also encourages a child to reflect within themselves and become curious about how they are feeling. Through this practice, they begin to be able to name their feelings. It is amazing to see. Because I want you to see the amazing unfold in your child, I teach parenting strategies tailored to meeting your child in this way.

These strategies don’t just stop at you being able to identify your feelings. They also demonstrate ways to manage your overwhelming feelings. For example, if I find myself feeling nervous, angry, anxious, worried, sad, etc., while in session with a child, or my own children, I share my feeling, and then demonstrate a coping skill to manage my big feeling(s), such as taking a deep breath. The result is children learning to not only identify how they feel, but also what to do with their big strong feelings. The positive outcome of this type of play therapy/parenting technique is that a child can identify their feelings AND use a coping skill to manage their feelings when they become overwhelming. My role with you is to guide you to learn how to do this with your own child(ren).

Because children naturally watch parents and caregivers to learn how to be in this world, Synergetic Play Therapy parenting strategies can work extremely well. In the play room or with my own children, I show up as the role model they are watching and looking up to. You are that very role model at home with your child. When my own children were toddlers, if I did or said something, they would copy it right back. You can actually use this natural tendency of your child to your advantage by showing your child coping skills (ex: taking a deep breath, counting to 10, etc.) to manage their own big emotions. While they are led by us in a different way as they grow older, they still watch everything we do and use it as a guide. My role with you is to help you learn to identify your feelings and demonstrate coping skills as a way to manage tough behaviors from your children. The result is your children learning how to manage their emotions because you are showing them how!

For more detailed information on Synergetic Play Therapy, please visit their website here.

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