What Is Play Therapy?

Play Therapy is a developmentally appropriate therapeutic approach designed to help children express emotions and work through challenges in a natural, engaging way.

Instead of relying on verbal expression alone, children use:

• Toys
• Art supplies
• Sand trays
• Figurines
• Games
• Stories and role-play

These tools allow them to explore feelings, make sense of situations, and practice new skills in a safe, supportive environment.

“Play is the child’s language. Toys are their words.”

This gentle, intuitive process makes therapy accessible—even for children who feel shy, overwhelmed, or unsure of how to express themselves.

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Who Benefits from Play Therapy?

Play Therapy supports children facing a wide range of emotional and behavioral challenges, including:

• Anxiety or excessive worry
• Behavioral issues or tantrums
• Trauma or exposure to conflict
• Low self-esteem or confidence struggles
• Grief, loss, or major life changes
• Family transitions (divorce, new sibling, moving)
• Difficulty expressing or identifying emotions
• Attention, focus, or impulse challenges
• Social struggles or bullying

Play creates a natural pathway for healing, understanding, and growth.

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Our Approach to Play Therapy

At PS It’s Counseling, Play Therapy is guided by licensed child therapists trained in child development, emotional regulation, and expressive modalities.

We use:

• Child-Centered Play Therapy: Allowing the child to lead the session and express themselves freely.
• Directive Play Therapy: Structured activities that help target specific emotional or behavioral goals.
• Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy: Using play to teach coping skills and shift unhelpful thoughts.
• Expressive Techniques: Storytelling, drawing, and creative tools to help children communicate.

Our therapists build trust through patience, warmth, and consistency—helping children feel safe enough to explore their emotions honestly.

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What Happens in a Play Therapy Session?

Sessions are tailored to each child’s age, personality, and emotional needs. A typical session may include:

1. Warm-Up Play: Helping the child feel comfortable and engaged.
2. Exploration Through Play: Using toys, art, or games to express feelings or reenact experiences.
3. Skill Building: Practicing communication, coping skills, emotional regulation, or problem-solving.
4. Reflection: The therapist gently helps the child make sense of emotions that came up during play.
5. Parent Collaboration: Parents receive guidance on how to support emotional growth at home.

The goal is not to “fix” behavior, but to understand what the behavior is communicating—and help the child express it in healthier ways.

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Benefits of Play Therapy

• Improves emotional expression and communication
• Reduces anxiety, fear, and frustration
• Builds confidence and self-esteem
• Strengthens emotional regulation
• Enhances social skills and friendships
• Supports trauma and grief processing
• Helps children develop problem-solving skills
• Encourages creativity, imagination, and resilience

These emotional tools empower children long after therapy ends—supporting healthier relationships and stronger emotional foundations.

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Family Involvement

Parents and caregivers are essential partners in the therapeutic process. Your therapist may:

• Provide updates on progress
• Suggest skills to practice at home
• Offer guidance on communication and behavior strategies
• Include family sessions when appropriate

This ensures your child receives consistent emotional support in and out of the therapy space.

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Related Services and Specialties

Play Therapy works beautifully alongside other child-focused supports:

Together, these services help children build resilience and emotional confidence.

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Our Child Therapists

Our therapists are trained in child development and play-based interventions, creating a warm, patient, and supportive environment for every child. They help children feel safe enough to explore emotions and strong enough to express them.

Meet Our Team →