A Parent Guide to Play Therapy

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What Play Therapy Is

Play therapy is a developmentally grounded approach that gives children a space to express feelings, explore experiences, and build new skills through the language that comes most naturally to them: play. Children grow emotionally and socially when they have room to try out ideas, express fears and wishes, and work through challenges in symbolic and creative ways.

Play therapy is not simply playing. Every toy in the room is chosen with intention so that children can show their inner world in a way that feels safe. The playroom is designed to support emotional expression, problem solving, confidence, and self-regulation. Through this process children learn new ways of managing stress, navigating relationships, and understanding themselves.

Why Play Therapy Works

The foundation is the relationship, but the effectiveness comes from the combination of relationship, skill, and purposeful play materials. Play therapy works because:

Play provides emotional distance that feels safe
Children often cannot say “I am scared” or “I am angry” but they can show it through a puppet, a figure, a drawing, or a dramatic scene. This symbolic distance allows them to express difficult feelings without becoming overwhelmed.

Toys act as the child’s words
The therapist selects toys that represent a wide range of emotions and themes, such as safety, family, power, danger, nurturing, bravery, and problem solving. These may include dolls, art materials, animals, medical kits, blocks, vehicles, masks, and pretend play items. Through these tools, children communicate their experiences in a way that fits their developmental stage.

Children learn and practice new skills
As a child plays, the therapist responds in ways that build emotional awareness, strengthen coping skills, and support more flexible thinking. Children practice frustration tolerance, confidence, decision making, and problem solving, all inside a space designed for success and growth.

The brain learns through experience
Because play therapy uses action, creativity, and imagination, it promotes neural pathways associated with regulation, resilience, and emotional understanding. Children do not just talk about change. They experience it through play.

How Play Therapy Supports Common Concerns

Play therapy is widely used for many childhood needs, including:

Anxiety
Play gives anxious children a controlled place to explore worries, fears, and “what if” thoughts. Through symbolic play, they practice bravery, learn regulation strategies, and develop a sense of safety and mastery.

Depression or low mood
Children who feel sad or shut down often begin to express themselves again when given a creative outlet. The secure relationship and the playful environment support joy, hope, connection, and confidence.

Adjustment challenges
Changes such as divorce, moves, new schools, new siblings, or loss can feel overwhelming. Play allows children to explore these transitions, reduce stress, and strengthen their coping abilities.

ADHD and regulation concerns
Play therapy supports impulse control, frustration tolerance, planning, flexibility, emotional regulation, and positive decision making. The therapist also reinforces attention and self-control through clear structure and reflective responses.

Social challenges or difficulty with peers
Through role play, turn taking, practice with boundaries, and expressive play, children learn skills for friendships and communication.

Trauma or stressful experiences
Play provides a safe way to process what happened at the child’s pace. Children can express the memory symbolically rather than reliving it directly, which helps reduce distress and restore a sense of control.

Sandtray in Play Therapy

Sandtray is a specialized form of expressive therapy that uses sand and miniature figures. Children build scenes that represent feelings, experiences, or inner conflicts. This process lets them show complex emotions and stories without needing words.

Sandtray supports:
• Emotional regulation through calming sensory input
• Processing trauma or stress safely and symbolically
• Decision making and problem solving
• Exploration of identity, relationships, and personal themes

The therapist observes the process and responds in ways that support insight, regulation, and healing.

CBT Informed Play Therapy

Some children benefit from the blend of traditional play therapy and CBT strategies. CBT informed play therapy keeps the expressive and child led nature of play, while introducing simple skill building activities such as:

• Understanding feelings and thoughts
• Practicing coping tools for anxiety or frustration
• Building flexibility and realistic thinking
• Learning relaxation and mindfulness through playful methods
• Practicing positive behavior patterns through games and stories

This mix allows children to gain both emotional expression and concrete coping strategies.

What To Tell Your Child Before the First Session

A simple explanation is enough:
“You will have a special time each week with Miss Rachel in her playroom. There are many toys you can use however you choose.”

If your child wants more information:
“Sometimes kids have big feelings or big changes. Having a special place to play with someone who understands can help.”

How Parents Can Support the Process

• Dress your child in clothes that can get messy. Creative play is part of the work.
• Avoid asking your child to talk about problems before the session. They will share what they need in their own way.
• After sessions, greet your child warmly without asking questions about what happened in the room. If your child shares, you can respond, but there is no pressure.
• Trust the process. The therapist will update you regularly and will guide the work with expertise and care. 

A Final Reassurance

Your child does not need to perform or explain anything. The therapist has the training, structure, and plan to support your child’s emotional growth. You can rest knowing that your child will be cared for, understood, and guided in a way that fits their unique needs.