What To Expect in Child-Centred Play Therapy?
- Grace Ohrling
- Feb 2
- 3 min read
 What is Play Therapy? Many of our therapists practice child-centred play therapy or incorporate it into their approach for a variety of goals and concerns. Child-centred play therapy is a therapeutic approach that helps children express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through play rather than words. Grounded in the belief that play is a child’s natural language, the therapist provides a safe, supportive, and non-directive environment where the child is free to choose how and what they play. Through this process, children can work through emotional difficulties, build self-understanding, and develop healthier ways of coping, all at their own pace. The therapist follows the child’s lead, offering empathy, acceptance, and consistency, which helps strengthen the child’s sense of autonomy, self-worth, and emotional regulation. It has been proven to be effective for supporting children with developmental differences, transition periods (parent separation, grief/ loss etc), speech differences, trauma, or other difficult emotions or behaviours.
How can "just playing" be therapy? We often get questions about how play therapy can really be helpful if a child is "just playing" with the therapist. We hear "they need concrete coping skills" or "they have enough adults to play with at home". It is important to note that there are times where more directive modalities are beneficial, but understanding the power of play therapy could open up a world of healing and growing that your child may need. Child centred non-directive play therapy is a unique dynamic process and there is a specific way that therapists respond to and engage to access their inherent strengths and develop the confidence to solve their problems. Parents can expect play therapy to be a gentle, child-led process where progress happens gradually rather than through quick fixes, homework, or "specific strategies". While children may not always talk about sessions directly, parents often notice changes over time in emotional expression, behaviour, confidence, and coping skills as their child feels safer and more understood in the playroom and in the world.
How is a therapeutic playroom different than any other playroom? Child therapy rooms are "special playrooms" where there are different expectations then at school or home. For example, children are not required to clean up their toys or supplies. Therapists spend time between sessions resetting the room and we don't want the worries about mess or cleaning up to impede the therapeutic process. After sessions, try not to ask your child “How did you like it?” “What did you do?” Sometimes it is hard for children to articulate their experience in therapy. Sometimes children are also afraid to upset parents/guardians. We also try to avoid asking children if they had fun in the context of play therapy. Therapy is hard work and can bring up uncomfortable feelings sometimes. Although children may refer to play therapy as fun, we can support their growth in therapy by focusing on their strengths such as creativity, dedication, compassion and kindness by asking if they created something they are proud of, or if they need anything in the moment like a snack, water, or a break before heading back to school or home. How do I know if play-therapy is helping my child? After a number of consistent sessions (usually every 1-2 weeks), parents are encouraged to meet with their child's therapist for a parent session to discuss how things are going at home, and if they've noticed any changes. Talk to your child's therapist about the treatment plan if they are incorporating child-centred play therapy. You can work together to find the best possible way to support your child through the work they are doing in the playroom. . Child-centred therapy takes time and patience, for families and even for therapists, but research has shown time and time again that it is extremely effective in helping children process emotions, develop coping skills, and improve social/behavioural challenges.
How do I know if play-therapy is right for my child? Reach out to our team if you are interested in starting the process of child-centred therapy, and we would be happy to get you all set up and answer any questions you may have. Our intake coordinators are trained to collect relevant information about your goals and concerns and match you with the therapist that would be the best fit to meet your needs.
Resource: Koukourikos, K., Tsaloglidou, A., Tzeha, L., Iliadis, C., Frantzana, A., Katsimbeli, A., & Kourkouta, L. (2021). An Overview of Play Therapy. Materia socio-medica, 33(4), 293–297. https://doi.org/10.5455/msm.2021.33.293-297 |
