Educational Resource
Understanding Play Therapy
Helping Children Express Feelings, Build Coping Skills, and Navigate Life's Challenges
Children do not always have the words to explain what they are feeling or experiencing. Play is a natural way children communicate, explore relationships, express emotions, and make sense of their world.
What Is Play Therapy?
“The systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development.”
In simpler terms, play therapy is a developmentally appropriate approach to mental health treatment that recognizes play as an important language of childhood. Rather than relying exclusively on conversation, trained professionals use developmentally appropriate toys, games, creative activities, and other play-based experiences to support emotional expression and therapeutic growth. Play therapy is particularly associated with children ages 3–12, although appropriately trained professionals may use play-based approaches with other age groups.
Why Is Play Important in Therapy?
Play allows children to explore thoughts, feelings, and experiences in ways that may feel more natural than traditional conversation.
Through therapeutic play, children may learn to:
- Express feelings that are difficult to describe.
- Explore confusing or stressful experiences.
- Practice problem-solving strategies.
- Build emotional awareness.
- Develop healthier coping skills.
- Improve social and relationship skills.
- Strengthen confidence and self-expression.
- Recognize and communicate their needs.
Play can serve as a bridge between a child's inner experiences and the adults working to understand and support them.
How Does Play Therapy Work?
Play therapy involves more than providing children with toys or opportunities to play.
A trained professional uses an established theoretical approach and an intentional therapeutic relationship to respond to a child's emotional and developmental needs.
Depending on the therapeutic model, sessions may include child-directed play, structured activities, creative expression, storytelling, role-playing, or other therapeutic interventions.
A trusting therapeutic relationship is central to the process. A safe and accepting environment may help children express concerns and explore difficult experiences.
Treatment should be individualized according to the child's developmental level, presenting concerns, and clinical needs.
What Concerns Can Play Therapy Address?
Play therapy may be incorporated into treatment for children experiencing a variety of concerns.
Emotional and Behavioral Challenges
- Anxiety and excessive worry.
- Sadness and depressive symptoms.
- Anger and frustration.
- Emotional regulation difficulties.
- Disruptive or challenging behaviors.
Life Changes and Stressful Experiences
- Grief and loss.
- Divorce and family transitions.
- Separation and abandonment concerns.
- Traumatic or stressful experiences.
- Adjustment to new environments.
Developmental and Social Concerns
- Peer relationship difficulties.
- Social and communication challenges.
- Attention and self-regulation difficulties.
- School-related stress.
- Concerns associated with developmental differences.
Play therapy is not automatically appropriate for every child or every condition. Treatment decisions should follow an individualized clinical assessment.
Potential Benefits of Play Therapy
Research suggests that appropriately selected play therapy interventions may support positive mental health outcomes for some children.
- Improved emotional expression.
- Greater self-awareness.
- Stronger coping and problem-solving skills.
- Improved self-regulation.
- Better social relationships.
- Increased confidence.
- Healthier communication with caregivers.
- Improved responses to stress and life transitions.
Results vary according to the child, treatment approach, presenting concerns, and individual circumstances.
Why Family Involvement Matters
Parents and caregivers often play an important role in supporting a child's therapeutic progress.
Research discussed by the Association for Play Therapy has identified positive outcomes associated with active parent involvement.
Depending on the treatment plan, caregivers may participate through parent consultations, supportive communication strategies, home-based activities, or selected therapeutic sessions.
The type and extent of caregiver involvement should be determined by the treating professional and the child's individual needs.
Who Provides Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a specialized mental health treatment approach requiring appropriate professional preparation. Licensed mental health professionals may pursue additional training, education, supervised experience, and specialized preparation in play therapy.
APT professional credentials include:
- Registered Play Therapist (RPT)
- Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S)
- School Based-Registered Play Therapist (SB-RPT)
These designations have distinct professional requirements. APT membership alone does not establish that someone holds any of these credentials.
Does Play Therapy Work?
Published research supports play therapy as a potentially effective mental health intervention for various childhood emotional, behavioral, and social concerns.
Research reviews have reported positive treatment effects in different groups and presenting concerns.
Some research has also associated parent or caregiver participation with stronger treatment outcomes.
Effectiveness varies, and play therapy must not be presented as a guaranteed solution.
How to Find a Qualified Play Therapist
Families interested in play therapy may wish to ask prospective providers about:
- Professional mental health licensure.
- Specialized play therapy education.
- Relevant training and supervised experience.
- Experience working with children.
- Therapeutic approach.
- Parent and caregiver involvement.
- Professional play therapy credentials, when applicable.
Additional information is available from the Association for Play Therapy.
Learn More About Play Therapy
Dr. Nick Cornett, Ph.D., LPC, LMFT, Registered Play Therapist, discusses why play therapy is used, how children communicate through play, research on therapeutic outcomes, and the specialized education and training associated with professional play therapy.
Additional Play Therapy Resources
Ready to Learn More?
If you have questions about play therapy or would like to explore whether it may be a good fit for your child, I invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation.