What Parents Should Know About Play Therapy

Understanding Play Therapy

For many children, play is the most natural way to communicate—it is a child’s first language. Before children can fully explain their feelings with words, they often show what they are thinking and feeling through pretend play, drawing, storytelling or building with toys. A child who has experienced a stressful event may act it out with dolls or action figures. Another child may use art to express worries they cannot put into words.

Play therapy gives children a safe place to express themselves in these ways. Rather than asking children to simply “talk about their feelings,” play therapists meet children at their developmental level and use play to help them communicate and process their experiences.

What Is Play Therapy?

The Association for Play Therapy (APT) describes play therapy as an evidence-based mental health treatment provided by licensed mental health professionals to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and support healthy growth and development.

During sessions, children may use toys, games, art supplies, puppets, dolls, sand trays and other creative activities to express themselves. While play therapy may look like ordinary play, each activity has a purpose. The therapist observes the child’s play and uses what they see to better understand the child’s thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

How Does Play Therapy Help?

Play therapy provides a safe and supportive environment where children can express emotions, solve problems and learn new skills. Through play, children can begin to understand difficult experiences, practice healthy ways to cope and build confidence.

Play therapy may help children:

• Express feelings they may have difficulty putting into words
• Learn healthy ways to manage strong emotions
• Develop problem-solving and coping skills
• Address behavioral and emotional concerns, including anxiety, depression, attention difficulties and other challenges

Every child’s treatment is individualized. The therapist works with the child and, when appropriate, partners with parents or caregivers to support the child’s emotional growth and overall well-being.

Learn More

Founded in 1982, the Association for Play Therapy (APT) is the leading professional organization dedicated to advancing the practice of play therapy and supporting children, families and mental health professionals. With national headquarters located in Clovis, California, APT promotes ethical play therapy practice informed by research, education and professional training, while also recognizing the importance of foundational and historically significant play therapy theories.

To learn more about play therapy, understand how it works or find a credentialed play therapist in your area, visit www.a4pt.org. The website offers trusted resources for families, caregivers, professionals, educators and mental health providers who want to learn more about how play therapy can support children’s emotional well-being.