Parents of young children seeking counseling for their child quickly find out that it’s “play therapy” and wonder, How can playing help my child with their (you name it!) anxiety/depression/behavioral problems? Well, it absolutely can help! Let’s explore how.
Play is a Child’s Language
The first thing to know is that play is how kids communicate. According to Emma Beechen, therapist at Life Counseling Institute in Willowbrook and Park Ridge, Illinois, “Play is a child’s natural way of communicating. That’s why play therapy is such a powerful tool: It allows kids to express themselves in the way that feels most natural to them.”
While adults use words to explain what they’re thinking and feeling, children don’t yet have the full vocabulary or self-awareness to explain their feelings in words, and so talking about their emotions can be overwhelming or even impossible. Through play, imagination, and their behavior, children communicate their experiences, wants, and needs.
What Exactly Is Play Therapy?
Emma Beechen explains, “Instead of asking kids to talk about their thoughts and feelings, we use toys, games, art, puppets, and other creative activities to help them share what’s on their minds.”
Play therapy is an evidence-based type of counseling designed just for children. While it may look like “just play” from the outside, it’s actually a safe and structured way for kids to identify and work through their emotions, learn and practice new skills, and heal from difficult experiences.
How Do Children Benefit from Play Therapy?
Play therapy bridges the gap that traditional talk therapy creates. Through play, children can:
- Express emotions that they may not know how to talk about.
- Work through tough experiences like family changes, bullying, or trauma.
- Learn coping skills for anxiety, anger, or frustration.
- Improve behavior by practicing problem-solving and self-control.
- Strengthen relationships with parents, siblings, and peers.
What Is the Therapist’s Role?
Play therapists are specially trained to use a child’s play as a way to help them heal and grow. Their role goes beyond simply “playing” with a child, play therapists:
- Create a safe space: The playroom is designed to feel comfortable and welcoming, where children can freely express themselves without judgment.
- Guide the process: The therapist and the playroom provide toys, games, and activities with purpose. Each activity is a tool to help a child share feelings, practice new skills, or process experiences.
- Understand the “language of play”: The therapist observes how a child uses toys, themes, or stories and helps them work through emotions in that natural language.
- Support growth and healing: Whether it’s managing anxiety, adjusting to changes, or other concerns, the therapist helps the child build coping skills, confidence, and healthier ways of expressing themselves.
- Partner with parents: Play therapists keep caregivers updated, share progress, and sometimes involve them in sessions to strengthen family connections in parent sessions.
What Concerns Can Play Therapy Address?
Play therapy addresses a variety of concerns including but not limited to:
- Anxiety & Worries: Separation anxiety, school anxiety, social anxiety, generalized worries.
- Low Mood & Depression: Sadness, withdrawal, loss of interest in play/friends.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviors (OCD) and Phobias: Repetitive thoughts, rituals, or behaviors, fear of throwing up, fear of getting sick.
- Behavioral Concerns: Aggression, tantrums, defiance, difficulty following rules, oppositional behaviors.
- Trauma & Stress: Exposure to scary events, abuse, neglect, bullying.
- Grief & Loss: Coping with death of a loved one, pet, or other significant loss.
- Life Transitions: Divorce, new sibling, moving, starting a new school.
- Attention & Impulsivity: ADHD, difficulty sitting still, acting without thinking.
- Social Challenges: Trouble making or keeping friends, shyness, difficulty reading social cues.
- Emotional Regulation: Big feelings that are hard to manage (anger, frustration, fear).
- Self-Esteem Issues: Low confidence, negative self-talk, perfectionism.
What Parents Can Expect
Sometimes parents are involved directly during the play and other times the therapist meets with the child one-on-one while keeping parents updated outside of sessions. Over time, parents may notice their child becoming calmer, more confident, and better able to handle big feelings. They can see reduced anxiety, improved mood, and better behavior.
Helping Your Child Thrive
Every child deserves a safe space to work through their emotions and challenges. Play therapy provides that space in a way that feels natural and comfortable for them. Plus, they have fun in play therapy! If your child is struggling with big feelings, tough behaviors, or life changes, play therapy could be the right step forward. Our team is here to support your family and help your child thrive.
