Page 66 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2019

KIDS play it out
HELPING CHILDREN COPE WITH ISSUES
story courtesy of Gulf Coast Play Therapy photos by Dara Parker
Play Therapy is based on the premise that children often do not have the words and vocabulary to fully express how issues affect them. In Play Therapy, toys
are the child’s words and play is the child’s language. When given a safe and nurturing environment in which the child can feel comfortable expressing feelings and working through life’s obstacles, so much can be positively accomplished regardless of the presenting issue.
The healing power of play can help
a child express feelings, play out
their experiences, communicate more effectively, cultivate problem-solving skills, gain self-esteem, learn to relate to the world around them, change behavior, resolve life challenges, work through traumatic events, and so much more.
Infanta White discovered her passion
for play therapy after observing the
effects of Hurricane Katrina on children. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree
in Psychology with a theme in Child Clinical Psychology from Mississippi State University, a Master’s degree in Counselor Education – Professional Mental Health
Counseling from the University of Mississippi, and a Post-Master’s Specialist degree specifically in Play Therapy from the University of Mississippi. All of her Play Therapy training was completed at the Child Advocacy and Play Therapy Institute in Oxford.
“I have helped children
with a variety of issues
including but not limited
to: trauma, abuse, domestic
violence, natural disasters,
anxiety, depression, grief/
bereavement, anger, bullying, social difficulties, and adjustment issues,” White said.
Gulf Coast Play Therapy
& Family Services, LLC 228.224.2258 icplaytherapy@gulfcoastrpt.com www.gcplaytherapy.com
66 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • April 2019 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net