What Is Play Therapy?

Speaking the Language of Children

When adults are overwhelmed, we often turn to words. We talk things out, journal, analyze, and reflect. But for children, healing rarely begins with language—it begins with play.

Over the years as a therapist, I’ve watched countless children walk into a therapy room burdened by emotions far too big for their young bodies to carry. Anxiety, grief, trauma, behavioral challenges, big life transitions—children feel them all, just as deeply as adults do. But they often don’t have the words to explain it. That’s where play therapy comes in.

Play therapy gives children a way to express themselves in the way they know best: through play.

More Than Just Play

At first glance, a play therapy session may look like fun — dolls, puppets, sand trays, blocks, art materials. But behind the play, something much deeper is happening.

Play therapy is a developmentally appropriate, evidence-based therapeutic approach that helps children explore emotions, process experiences, build resilience, and resolve internal conflicts. Research shows that structured, therapeutic play can reduce anxiety, improve emotional regulation, and strengthen social skills in children.

In play therapy, toys become their words, and play becomes their language. Through this natural form of expression, children can communicate feelings they are not yet able to put into words.

Can’t visual it yet - try these videos:

• Association for Play Therapy - Play Therapy Works!

• Special Play Time Demonstration by Mary Bennett, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S

• Tammi Van Hollander - Sandtray Therapy Demonstration of a Teenager

• AutPlay Therapy - neurodiversity affirming framework examples

What a Play Therapy Session Looks Like

Walking into a play therapy room, you might notice a cozy, welcoming space filled with toys, art materials, puppets, sand trays, building blocks, and creative tools — but the room isn’t just about fun. Every object has a purpose: to help children communicate, explore feelings, and process experiences that are too big or complicated for words alone.

During a session, children might:

• Build or create worlds in a sandbox or with blocks, reenacting experiences or imagining safe spaces

• Use dolls, action figures, or puppets to act out fears, practice problem-solving, or explore relationships

• Draw, paint, or craft as a way to express emotions, understand change, or cope with loss

• Engage in guided imaginative play, where a therapist gently follows the child’s lead, supporting them to explore challenges or practice new coping skills

For some children, play may be quiet and reflective, carefully placing figurines on a shelf or creating detailed drawings. For others, it may be active and expressive, moving through the room, using their body, or acting out scenarios with energy and emotion. Both styles are meaningful — they are the child’s language.

A play therapist’s role is to observe, reflect, and respond with attuned support. We notice patterns, themes, or symbols in the child’s play and help them make sense of their feelings. Sessions are never rushed — children are free to explore at their own pace, building a sense of safety, mastery, and trust.

Over time, the playful work becomes a bridge to real-life coping:

• A child who expressed fear through a puppet may learn strategies to manage anxiety at school

• A child who created safe spaces in a sandbox may practice self-soothing and grounding techniques

• A child who explored feelings of loss through art may begin to talk more openly with caregivers

In essence, play therapy transforms play into communication, expression, and growth. It’s a space where children feel seen, heard, and empowered — and parents can rest assured that their child is learning healthy ways to process emotions and navigate life’s challenges.

Who Benefits from Play Therapy?

Play therapy can be beneficial for children as young as 3 and up through pre-teens, depending on developmental needs. It’s particularly effective for children experiencing:

• Anxiety or depression

• Grief and loss

• Trauma (including abuse or neglect)

• Parental separation or divorce

• Social or behavioral challenges

• Attachment difficulties

• Medical or developmental challenges

• School stress, bullying, or self-esteem concerns

In short, play therapy supports children in learning how to cope with life’s challenges in healthy, developmentally appropriate ways.

A Message for Parents and Caregivers

If you’re a parent, caregiver, or educator wondering if therapy might help a child in your life, know this: it’s not about diagnosing or labeling. It’s about offering a safe place where your child can explore their feelings freely—without pressure, shame, or expectation.

Play therapy also includes you. Parent involvement is a key part of the process. You’ll be supported with updates, insights, and practical ways to continue the emotional support at home. We work together—because you are an essential part of your child’s healing.

A Final Thought

Play therapy respects the way children experience the world. It meets them in their natural space—not with demands, but with openness and care.

Because healing doesn’t always come through words. Sometimes, it comes through a crayon, a puppet, or a quiet moment in the sandbox. And that, too, is real, powerful therapy.

If you're wondering whether play therapy might be right for your child, we’re here to answer your questions—with compassion, honesty, and hope.