Play
A child's main language, and one of the most reliable indicators of how they are.
How it shows up
Children don’t talk about what’s hard — they play it out. A repeating motif in play after a divorce or a loss says more than the question »how do you feel«.
What we do with it in therapy
Working with a family, we watch the play and I help parents read what the child is communicating through it. In adults too, the loss of playfulness is often one of the first signs that things have been too hard for too long.
See also
Panic attack
A sudden wave of bodily distress that peaks within minutes and passes — although during it, it seems it won't.
Infertility and distress
Long waiting, procedures and losses that weigh on the individual and on the couple.
Phobia
A strong, persistent fear of a particular thing or situation, out of proportion to the actual danger.
