What is Play Therapy?

Play Therapy is a therapeutic modality that facilitates growth and development through creating a safe space for healing. This approach incorporates play and other creative expression. It often focuses on children under 12, but it can benefit clients of all ages.

Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning.

At various times, play is a way to cope with life and to prepare for adulthood. Playing is a way to solve problems and to express feelings.

In fact, play is the real work of childhood.

-Fred Rogers

Play therapy can help with…

  • Emotional regulation

  • Coping skills 

  • Grief/loss

  • Anxiety 

  • Depression 

  • ADHD

  • Improving parent/child relationships

  • Big behaviors 

  • Trauma 

  • Family changes

  • Adoption 

Play Therapy Interventions:

  • Play-based assessments for emotional literacy, concept of family, and other presenting issues

  • Expressive arts

  • Sand Tray

  • Child-centered

  • Age-appropriate EMDR 

  • Bibliotherapy

  • Games