Healing Through Play: Therapy Dolls For Trauma

For individuals who have experienced trauma, finding effective therapeutic interventions can be an important step in reducing negative symptoms and improving quality of life. 

Traditional therapy methods have long been used to help people process and heal from traumatic experiences, and many innovative approaches have been developed over recent years to complement these techniques. One such approach is the use of therapy dolls, which have been found to promote healing and emotional growth through play. 

In this article, we will explore what therapy dolls are, how they can be used to help individuals heal from trauma, and how online therapy may have the potential to play a crucial role in the healing journey.

What are therapy dolls?

These dolls can be used by individuals of all ages, including children, adolescents, and adults. Therapy dolls can be used in various settings, including in-person and online therapy sessions, hospitals, schools, and community centers. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, making them a practical therapeutic intervention for individuals who have experienced trauma.

How do therapy dolls work?

Therapy dolls can provide individuals with a non-threatening and safe way to express their emotions and experiences. Through play with the dolls, individuals can create scenarios and stories that allow them to work through their feelings and experiences.

Therapy dolls can be a valuable tool through the course of trauma recovery, serving multiple purposes such as:

Emotional expression

Therapy dolls can provide a healthy way for individuals to process and express their emotions. They allow people to explore their feelings and thoughts in a safe and controlled environment, which can help them build emotional resilience and self-awareness.

Attachment and trust

For individuals who have experienced trauma, attachment and trust can be challenging concepts to navigate. Therapy dolls can serve as a transitional object, helping individuals form secure attachments and develop trust in their relationships. In some cases, therapy dolls may be constructed to be a certain weight, which can provide comfort when a patient is holding them in their arms.

Mastery and control

Through play, individuals can gain a sense of control over their experiences, which can be especially important for those who have been impacted by trauma. Therapy dolls allow an individual to act out scenarios in their head, make choices, feel heard, and ultimately regain a sense of control in their lives.

Social skills development

Play with therapy dolls can also promote the development of social skills, language, empathy, and communication, which can be crucial for individuals recovering from trauma. Patients can demonstrate how their therapy dolls interact, which may allow their therapist to identify certain themes.

When working with therapy dolls, it can be important to ensure that they are used in a safe and appropriate manner. Trained professionals, such as licensed therapists or social workers, should be the ones to introduce therapy dolls and guide individuals in their use.

The benefits of therapy dolls

One of the key benefits of therapy dolls is their ability to provide a sense of control and empowerment to individuals who have experienced trauma. Through play with the dolls, individuals can create scenarios and stories that allow them to take control of the situation from the beginning and work through their feelings of powerlessness. This can also be employed for patients experiencing Dementia or Alzheimer's, where feelings of disorientation or lack of control can be common. One study exploring how therapy dolls may be able to help patients with dementia reduce cognitive, behavioral, and emotional difficulties found that trauma dolls were effective in improving the way patients related to the outside world.

Therapy dolls can also be useful in addressing issues related to attachment and emotional regulation. For a child who has experienced trauma, the dolls can provide comfort and security, which may help them to develop a sense of trust and safety in their relationships with others. In one published study from 2008, researchers found that trauma dolls were effective in reducing PTSD symptoms in children who had experienced sexual abuse. The children in the study were able to use the dolls to express their emotions and experiences in a non-threatening way. (Note: Mental health research is constantly evolving, so older sources may contain information or theories that have been reevaluated since their original publication date.)

If you or a loved one is experiencing abuse, contact the Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Support is available 24/7.

If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.

Online therapy for trauma

Online therapy has become increasingly popular in recent years, providing a convenient way for individuals to receive professional help. With online therapy, individuals can receive support and guidance from the comfort of their own homes. This can be particularly helpful for those who have difficulty leaving their homes due to trauma-related anxiety or other concerns. Online therapy can also be easily integrated with therapy dolls, allowing individuals to receive guidance and support while actively engaging in play-based healing activities.

While there aren't specific studies on using therapy dolls in conjunction with online therapy sessions, in one study exploring how online therapy compared to traditional face-to-face methods, there was no significant difference in the effectiveness of online modalities compared to in-person sessions. Patients in both groups experienced similar symptom reduction, satisfaction, and ongoing improvement for a variety of mental health conditions.