The Process of Child Play Therapy: What You Need to Know
I’ve been where you are. I remember feeling overwhelmed, unsure if my child’s struggles were just a phase or something deeper. Our home felt like a battleground, and no matter how much love and patience I poured in, nothing seemed to change. I didn’t know if therapy was the right step, let alone how to start.
But here’s what I can tell you from the other side: Play therapy changed everything. It gave my child the tools to express emotions, work through challenges, and rebuild our connection. And it can do the same for you.
Child Play Therapy
The language of children is play. Instead of traditional talk therapy, children engage in play therapy, an evidence-based approach that allows them to express emotions and work through challenges in a way that makes sense to them. Play therapy can help children build emotional regulation, improve social skills, and process difficult experiences.
I used to wonder if my child could even understand what therapy was. But I soon realized that play therapy wasn’t about explaining feelings—it was about showing them, through play, in a way that felt natural and safe.
What Is Child Play Therapy?
Child play therapy is a structured, evidence-based form of therapy that leverages play to help children communicate and process their emotions. It’s particularly effective for children struggling with anxiety, behavioral issues, trauma, and other emotional challenges.
It also incorporates elements of occupational therapy, helping children develop motor skills, self-regulation, and emotional awareness. Therapists use various play-based techniques, such as role-playing, art therapy, and sensory play, to help children express their thoughts and feelings in a safe environment.
For us, this meant my child could work through big emotions without feeling pressured to explain them in words. I saw my child go from shutting down or lashing out to being able to say, "I feel mad" and use a coping skill instead. It was a game-changer.
Steps to Enrolling Your Child in Therapy
1. Find a Therapist
Check out Psychology Today to find a therapist that best fits your child’s needs. Here at The Flourishing Way, we have seasoned play therapists who can support you and your family.
2. Intake
The first session consists of a 30-minute parent intake and a 1-hour child intake assessment. In these sessions, you’ll talk about what brought you to therapy and your child’s strengths. After the intake, the therapist will create a plan and set goals with you.
3. Building Rapport and Completing the Assessment
Next comes the relationship-building phase. This is where the therapist focuses on connecting with your child and assessing their behavior through structured play therapy sessions. I remember wondering if anything was "happening" in these early sessions, but trust me—this step is key.
4. Introduce Coping Skills and Therapeutic Work
Once trust has been built, the therapist introduces therapeutic interventions and teaches coping skills your child can use in daily life. These might include role-playing, guided storytelling, or interactive play strategies.
This was the turning point for us. My child started using these skills at home—taking deep breaths instead of melting down, finding words instead of hitting. It was incredible to see real progress.
5. Check-In
Every four sessions, you’ll have a 15-minute check-in with the therapist to review your child’s progress. At The Flourishing Way, we require at least one 15-minute phone or virtual session to keep parents involved in the process.
Additional Tips for Supporting Your Child in Play Therapy
Encourage play at home to reinforce therapy sessions.
Stay involved and ask the therapist for guidance on how to support your child.
Be patient. Progress takes time, and small changes are worth celebrating.
Consider occupational therapy strategies to help with sensory and emotional regulation.
Keep communication open. Validate your child’s experiences and emotions.
Looking back, I can see how play therapy gave my child—and our whole family—so much more than I expected. My child didn’t just learn coping skills; they learned confidence. They felt seen, heard, and understood. And our home? It became a place of connection again.
You’re not alone in this. Play therapy can help, and the transformation is worth it.
Learn more about our play therapy clinicians at The Flourishing Way.