According to the National Institute of Mental Health, emerging data from the pandemic suggest that many children are experiencing an increase in stress and other mental health concerns, including symptoms of anxiety, depression, self-harming and eating disorders. Airmid has expanded our ability to support more children with three play therapy rooms dedicated to traditional play therapy with sand tray, puppets and art movement. Sand Tray Therapy is a form of Play Therapy where children are encouraged to explore their life events that may be affecting their present situation and creating difficulties. As researcher and author Garry Landreth explains the play therapy experience, “Toys are like the child’s words, and play is the child’s language.” Learn More about Play Therapy>>> The fourth room in our Play Therapy Center is committed to SMART Moves. SMART stands for Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Treatment, an innovative mental health therapy for children and adolescents. Our SMART Moves Program provides the opportunity for the child to practice making better choices, ways to self-regulate and to co-regulate with a parent or caregiver. Through movement and sensory experiences, the child is able to find balance for their system and then to process their concerns, struggles and traumas. Our SMART Moves Program also facilitates attachment-building between the child and caregiver and builds strategies and self and other-regulation toolboxes that can be easily built into the daily routine at home to further support the healing process. SMART Moves has been listed as an Evidence Based Practice with the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness and in the National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices. SMART is designed for children and adolescents who have experienced complex stress and traumatic exposures including…. Read More about SMART MOVES>>> |
Managing Stress in Children
