What is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a is a specialist therapeutic intervention delivered by trained professionals where play and creative materials are used as the child’s natural form of communication. It is particularly effective for children who may struggle to express themselves verbally or who are experiencing emotional or behavioural difficulties that affect their wellbeing. 

For children, play is their language and through play they can express thoughts, feelings, experiences, worries and hopes, especially when they do not have the words to explain how they feel.

Play therapy provides a safe and structured therapeutic space where children can explore these experiences at their own pace, through the use of toys, art materials, storytelling, movement, and imagination.

Children often struggle to express difficult emotions verbally. Experiences such as anxiety, loss, family change, trauma, or relational difficulties can feel overwhelming and hard to explain.

Play therapy recognises that children communicate through behaviour and play, and emotions are often expressed symbolically rather than directly. Safety and connection are essential for emotional expression and healing, and through play children are able to communicate in a way that feels natural, safe, and developmentally appropriate.

Within the therapeutic relationship, children begin to make sense of their experiences, process difficult feelings, and develop healthier ways of coping.

Play is a child’s natural way of expression, learning, and understanding of the world.

In sessions, children are offered a consistent, safe, and accepting environment where they are free to choose how they engage with the materials and the space. 

The therapist provides a secure and predictable therapeutic relationship, boundaries that create safety and trust, and reflective and attuned responses to the child’s process. Rather than directing the child’s play, the therapist follows the child’s lead, supporting emotional expression and helping the child feel understood.

Over time, this process allows children to explore and express emotions safely, develop emotional awareness, build self-esteem and confidence, strengthen emotional regulation skills and develop healthier relational patterns.

A play therapy session may look like “just play” from the outside, but it is a carefully held therapeutic process. The child leads the session while the therapist provides emotional safety, consistency, and therapeutic presence, helping the child feel understood without pressure to talk or explain.

Each child’s process is unique and unfolds at their own pace.

Play therapy can support children experiencing a range of emotional, behavioural, or relational difficulties, including:

• Anxiety and worries

• Emotional regulation difficulties

• Low self-esteem or confidence

• Family separation or divorce

• Grief and loss

• Trauma or adverse experiences

• Friendship and social difficulties

• Behavioural challenges

• School-related stress

• Life transitions and change

• How is play therapy different form regular play?

Although it may look like ordinary play, play therapy is purposeful and guided by a qualified play therapist. The therapist carefully uses play to help children explore emotions, work through difficulties, develop coping skills, and build healthier ways of relating to themselves and others.

• How often and how long are play therapy sessions?

Play therapy sessions take place once a week at the same time each week to provide consistency and help build a trusting therapeutic relationship. Each session lasts 45 minutes, regular attendance is recommended to support the child's progress and maximise the benefits of therapy.

• What if my child doesn't want to talk about their problems?

Children are not expected to talk if they do not want to. Play is their natural way of communicating, and the therapist follows the child's lead while gently supporting emotional expression and understanding.

• How long does play therapy take? 

The length of therapy varies depending on each child's individual needs, goals, and circumstances. Some children benefit from a short-term intervention of around 18/20 sessions, while others may require longer-term support. Progress is reviewed regularly with parents to ensure therapy continues to meet the child's needs. 

• Is play therapy suitable for all children?

Play therapy is generally suitable for children aged 4 to 13 years, although it can be adapted for older children and adolescents depending on their developmental needs and preferences. 

• How do I know if my child needs play therapy?

Play therapy may be helpful if your child is experiencing ongoing emotional, behavioural, or social difficulties, or has experienced a significant life event. If you are unsure, an initial parent consultation can help determine whether play therapy is the most appropriate support. 

• How can I tell if play therapy is working?

Every child progresses at their own pace. Positive changes are often gradual and may include: improved emotional regulation, increased confidence and resilience, better communication of thoughts and feelings, stronger relationships with family and peers, reduced challenging behaviours, greater ability to cope with everyday challenges.

Regular review meetings allow parents to discuss progress and any changes observed at home or school.

• How do I prepare my child for play therapy?

Keep the explanation simple and reassuring. You might say: "You're going to meet someone whose job is to help children through play. You'll have lots of toys, games, art materials, and activities to choose from."

Try not to pressure your child to talk about their feelings or expect them to "fix" a problem, simply let them know it is a safe place where they can be themselves.

• Can play therapy support children with additional needs? 

Yes, play therapy can be beneficial for many children with additional needs, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, developmental delays, learning differences, or sensory processing differences. Therapy is adapted to each child's individual strengths, needs, and developmental level. 

• Are parents involved in play therapy?

Yes, parents play an important role in the therapeutic process. Alongside your child's sessions, regular parent consultations provide an opportunity to discuss progress, better understand your child's emotional needs, and explore practical strategies that can be used at home. 

• What happens when play therapy ends?

Therapy concludes when the agreed goals have been achieved or when it is considered that your child is ready to finish. The ending is planned carefully to help your child transition positively, a final parent consultation is usually held to review progress, discuss recommendations, and identify ways to continue supporting your child's emotional wellbeing at home. Follow-up sessions can also be arranged if needed.