Using Play Therapy to Help Children with Anger Problems

Anger is a common yet often misunderstood emotion among children and adolescents. For play therapists, helping young clients regulate their emotions can be a crucial part of the therapeutic process. In a recent conversation with Dr. Fiona Zant, clinical psychologist, registered play therapist, and co-author of Creative Ways to Help Children Regulate and Manage Anger, we explored strategies and activities grounded in neuroscience and attachment theories.

Anger Through the Lens of Neuroscience and Attachment

Dr. Zant emphasizes the importance of looking beyond a child's outward expressions of anger. Rather than focusing on behavior as a reflection of a "bad" child, therapists and caregivers should aim to understand the deeper causes.

What Triggers Anger? Anger often masks underlying feelings like anxiety, shame, or a sense of unsafety. For many children, these emotions can stem from unmet needs, sensory processing difficulties, or neurodivergent traits. Dr. Zant highlights that children experiencing dysregulation often feel overwhelmed or unsafe, even if their environment appears stable.
Attachment and Co-Regulation: One key takeaway from Dr. Zant’s approach is the role of co-regulation in fostering emotional development. Parents and caregivers act as co-regulators, helping children develop emotion regulation circuitry. Dr. Zant stresses that co-regulation doesn't require perfection—it’s about being consistently present and supportive.

The Role of Therapists and Parents in Emotion Regulation

Dr. Zant advocates for therapists and caregivers to work collaboratively:

Engaging Caregivers: Therapists should actively involve parents or caregivers in the therapeutic process. Activities that bring children and their caregivers together can strengthen their bond and improve regulation skills.
Managing Expectations: It's essential to set realistic expectations. Self-regulation is a developmental skill, not an innate one. Even older children need support at times.
Balancing Theory with Practice: Incorporating neuroscience, attachment, and therapeutic play ensures the process remains evidence-based while being adaptable to individual needs.

Creative Activities to Support Regulation

Dr. Zant’s book offers a wealth of directive play therapy activities. Below are some highlights:

1. Pit Stops Activity

This metaphorical exercise uses toy race cars to teach children about emotional regulation. The activity identifies two types of "pit stops":

Scheduled Stops: Regular moments to pause, connect, and rejuvenate throughout the day.
Repair Stops: Times to address signs of dysregulation, such as frustration or overwhelm.

Caregivers can participate by discussing their own "pit stops," modeling healthy coping strategies, and learning to recognize early signs of their child's distress.

2. Visual and Tactile Engagement

Using a sand tray or large sheets of paper, children create race tracks to visualize their emotional journey. This hands-on activity is both regulating and engaging, helping families co-create strategies for emotional resilience.

Highlights from Creative Ways to Help Children Regulate and Manage Anger

Dr. Zant's book, published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, is a resource for therapists and caregivers alike. Key features include:

Practical Activities: Step-by-step guides for directive play therapy techniques.
Focus on Caregivers: A chapter dedicated to helping parents and caregivers manage their emotions and become effective co-regulators.
HOLDS Model: A framework for understanding how caregivers can respond to dysregulated children.
Adaptability: Activities designed to suit neurodivergent children and various family dynamics.

The book is available on Amazon and through Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Takeaways for Therapists and Parents

Anger management in children is not about suppressing emotions but understanding and addressing the root causes. Dr. Zant’s methods emphasize:

Viewing anger as a signal rather than a problem.
Involving caregivers as active participants in the therapeutic journey.
Using creative, play-based strategies to build emotional resilience.

For play therapists, integrating neuroscience and attachment theories can significantly enhance the effectiveness of interventions. For parents, these insights can transform challenging moments into opportunities for connection and growth.

Resources and Further Learning

Dr. Zant and her colleague Suzanne Barrett also run Creative Child Therapy Workshops, offering valuable training for therapists. Visit their website at Child Psychology Workshops for more details.

Explore Dr. Zant’s new book and start applying these transformative techniques in your sessions or at home. Together, we can help children navigate their big emotions with confidence and care.

Categories: : Neuroscience of attachment, Play Therapy, Podcast