Does Pretend Play Help Heal Emotions?

This morning, I was in the den with Esther Marie interacting and playing with her. I tried reading to her but she doesn't have much patience for that. It's one of the things we will be working on with the early intervention program...."sitting and attending"....even for short periods. We played with her baby doll, rocking, holding and kissing. We tickled and giggled together too. At some point, she toddled over and got the crayons out and then got a piece of paper. I like it when she shows me what she wants to do. After she had scribbled for awhile, she began pretending that the crayons were "shots." She took a hair band and indicated that she wanted me to put it on the top part of her arm. Then she took the crayon and poked it in the middle of her arm like she was sticking herself with it. This went on for awhile as she did it to herself and then to me. It made me cry watching her as I realized she is far from over the hospital ordeal, and it's still very much on her mind. I understand better why she is still so insecure and wanting to be held much of the time. Perhaps this pretend play will help her work through the trauma in her little head and help heal her emotions!