What is Play Therapy, Who is it For and What Does it Do?

'Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.'

Fred Rogers.

What is play therapy?

Play therapy is an evidence-based therapy approach used for children ages 3 to 12. When it comes to therapy, adults use words to express what they are feeling, what they need, and what they want in appropriate ways. Most children don’t have the vocabulary and understanding to express what they are experiencing or what they need especially when it comes to overcoming challenges in their lives. Play therapy allows children to find the words they need to express and process what they are going through.

This isn't how kids communicate.

Play is everyone’s first language. Everyone knew how to play before they knew how to communicate their feelings, needs, and wants. Children are still developing their communications skills and vocabulary so often they rely on their first language, play. If play is the first language, then toys are the words used to communicate in this language. Through play therapy children who are experiencing social, emotional, or behavioral difficulties can play out, communicate and process their feelings, needs, and wants. 

What does it do?

Play therapy provides a safe environment for children to play out experiences, thoughts, and situations that are causing them overwhelming emotions and distress. A therapist provides this environment by creating a playroom that is thoughtfully constructed with children in mind. A playroom has toys and games in it that help build children’s vocabulary in expressing their difficult thoughts or worries. Through these interactions in play, children build understanding, healthy ways of expressing emotions, and processing experiences. 

For example, a child who is struggling to make friends and connections with others can practice those skills during the play therapy session in a safe environment through play. Similarly, a child that is experiencing fear from a scary situation can revisit those scary moments safely through play and make sense of them in the playroom. A child that has low self-esteem can explore their strengths in the play room and build self confidence through their play. 

Therapist’s role

During this time, the child is with a therapist who understands the importance of play and allows the child to take the lead in play while the therapist offers support, encouragement and guidance when needed. Over time the therapist will provide a trusting therapeutic relationship with the child. Sometimes in play therapy there is playing and sometimes there is talking. While it seems like it is all fun and games, play is not always enjoyable and easy for children. Children work through their problems using play. A therapist uses this time of play by observing and gaining insight into the child’s emotional world and offering support and education.

Parents role

The parents play a large role in the process of play therapy. The therapist and parents work together to communicate what they are seeing, in the playroom, at home, at school and in other environments. The parents provide important insight into their child’s needs and the desires while the therapist provides insight into the child’s emotional world and experiences. Working together the therapist and parents create a supportive and encouraging relationship and environment for the child where they are seen, known, and loved. 

Who is it for?

Play therapy is beneficial for children who are experiencing or have experienced low self-confidence, loss and grief, abuse, anxiety, bullying, low social skills, parent separation, life changes, low emotional regulation and trauma. Play therapy helps children develop their own solutions to problems, process emotions and difficult experiences, learn new skills, and become more confident.