Brain Research & Phoenix Center Programs

Phoenix Center counseling services include play therapy (utilizing our play therapy room), sand tray therapy (a form of play therapy) and art therapy. In order to expand our counseling services, I attended the International Play Therapy Institute at the University of North Texas.

One lecture presented the ways in which current brain research informs best therapies/practices when working with children who have experienced trauma (such as abuse). Based on current brain research, recommended therapies when working with children who have experienced trauma are play therapy, sand tray therapy, art therapy, multi-sensory experiences (such as therapies in nature or animal-assisted therapies) as well as movement and yoga. All of these recommended therapies and best practices are currently provided year-round and free of cost at the Phoenix Center & Camp Phoenix.

One particular study presented at the conference compared yoga to cognitive-behavioral and EMDR psychotherapies when working with individuals who have experienced trauma. Of the three, yoga was found to be the most effective (per scans of the brain). This may be because trauma is stored in the body as well as the mind. Yoga is also bi-lateral (effecting both the right and left sides of the brain and strengthening the corpus collosum connecting the two sides - the corpus collosum shrinks when a child experiences trauma).

Children are able to process trauma and their feelings through play therapy, sand tray therapy (a form of play therapy) or art therapy - feelings and past experiences that would be difficult, and not age-appropriate, to express verbally.

When youth with special needs have a place when they feel safe, a positive therapeutic relationship, and high-quality, age-appropriate therapies that meet their needs, like the story of the Phoenix, they heal, transform and rise to meet their highest potential.