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There is no one way to be\u00a0gifted.\u00a0Gifted children and adults are neurodivergent, and like other neurodivergent people, may think differently, feel differently, and see the world differently from their neurotypical peers.<\/p>\n
Many gifted individuals are intellectually and academically talented, highly sensitive to emotional and sensory stimuli, and susceptible to bullying and social ostracization.<\/p>\n
Many gifted individuals strive for high achievement and judge themselves harshly for falling short of their perfectionist standards.<\/p>\n
Play therapy can be a powerful way for neurodivergent, including gifted children and adults, to experience a new way of being in the world.<\/p>\n
Play therapy isn\u2019t just for kids!\u00a0Adults and children alike learn about life through play, and play can help put us in touch with our creative and most authentic selves.<\/p>\n
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As we grow into adults, many of us lose touch with the childlike parts of ourselves\u2014the parts that know how to have fun, and see the world in creative and imaginative ways. Yet due to atypical development, many gifted children do not have the chance to experience childhood the way other kids do.<\/p>\n
Gifted kids are often parentified, or treated as older than they are due to their intellect.\u00a0Many gifted children take on adult responsibilities early in life, and may be perceived as more emotionally mature than they really are.<\/p>\n
Play therapy allows these children to just be kids, free from adult expectations and high performance standards.\u00a0It also allows gifted adults to get to know their inner children, which may not have been seen or acknowledged in their early life.<\/p>\n
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Many gifted individuals grapple with deep thoughts and emotions, and are concerned with big existential questions.\u00a0Many of the gifted folks we work with at TheraThrive struggle with doubts about the meaning of life, what it means to be a good person, broad social and political issues, existential threats to humanity, and the nature of death and the afterlife.<\/p>\n
This can lead them to feel alienated from neurotypical peers, who may be put off by such intense topics.\u00a0Gifted individuals can struggle with small talk and may feel that they do not have many people in their lives in which they can confide.<\/p>\n
Play therapy is a safe way to explore heavy or taboo thoughts, which individuals may struggle to process in other ways.\u00a0By utilizing metaphor, symbolism, and storytelling, play therapy can provide some psychological distance from these topics\u2014allowing people to explore the depths of their emotions without becoming overwhelmed. This allows folks to find meaning and experiment with how they want to live their lives, despite the overwhelming and painful parts of existence.<\/p>\n
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Gifted kids and adults often feel\u00a0othered\u00a0and\u00a0different\u00a0from people their own age, due to their high sensitivity and often divergent interests.\u00a0This can lead to a sense of isolation or loneliness, resulting in feelings of rejection and low self-esteem.<\/p>\n
Many gifted individuals feel underchallenged and misunderstood, and can struggle with mental health difficulties like depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and more. Many are also neurodivergent in other ways, and might struggle to feel accepted due to ADHD, autism, sensory processing difficulties, or other differences.<\/p>\n
Engaging in play with a trusted therapist can combat these feelings by helping gifted individuals feel more seen and valued.\u00a0Through play, they can learn to recognize and appreciate their strengths, and find ways to connect with others that don\u2019t rely on neurotypical social norms.<\/p>\n
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