For me they work because a lot of therapy is about something deeper than words. Using words is definitely useful; it's how I do therapy and it's working, but a lot of times my T will ask me questions that I either I don't know the answer to, or feel like my immediate, first answer is surface. I welcome...more, I actively look for anything that can help me access the parts of me that aren't involved with my verbal brain. I haven't done anything with this T other than bring in a stuffed animal occasionally but with ex T I on occasion have brought in hand puppets and a soft ball. It didn't help but if I thought it would I'd try it again.