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Shelley Osterloh Reporting Troubled children in Salt Lake have a new place to work out their problems. The Family Support Center opened its new Children's Play Therapy Room today in Sugarhouse.
The Family Support Center in Sugarhouse works to protect children and strengthen families with counseling, parenting classes and a crisis nursery. The Sugarhouse Center now has brand new addition -- a play therapy room.
Many of its youngest clients have suffered neglect, abuse or witnessed violence. They may be too small to know the words to tell what's happened, or their feelings may be repressed. The toys, games and art supplies are designed to offer a way for children to communicate and heal in a safe and nurturing environment.
Bonnie Peters, Exec. Dr. Family Support Center: "I can look at their art and I can see how they draw themselves. Do they draw themselves without hands? They feel helpless. How do they draw their family? These are the things we can assess, and then we engage in the treatment of empowerment."
A dollhouse is a common toy, but here it has different meaning, and often through play, a child can show a therapist what's happened to them.
The building's new addition and its contents were made possible by a donation from the Delta Pilot's Charitable Fund.
Tamara Harris, Crisis Nurseries Dir.: "We couldn't do it without Delta pilots, and we are grateful to them and their generosity in helping us build another step in the ladder to success Family Support Center."
Dean Faulker, Delta Pilots Charitable Fund: "This was the major project for 2005. It was nice to have it here in Salt Lake City."
Staff at the Support Center say the play therapy room will help many children overcome their emotional problems, and encourage parents and caregivers to get children the help they need.
