How can this really help if my child is just playing?
Why Child-Centred Play Therapy Works: A Guide for Parents
As parents, it's natural to want quick solutions when your child is struggling. Whether it’s anxiety, behavioural challenges, or emotional overwhelm, the instinct to seek out something that works right away is completely understandable. Many parents expect a directive approach to therapy—where the therapist tells the child what to do or how to behave—and when they hear about Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT), they may wonder, How can this really help if my child is just playing?
I’m here to assure you that Child-Centred Play Therapy is not only effective, but it’s also designed to bring about long-term emotional growth, particularly for neurodivergent children, who may have unique ways of processing emotions and experiences. In this post, I’ll explain what makes CCPT different, why it might take time, and why that time is essential for meaningful healing and growth.
The Expectation of Directive Therapy
Most of us, as adults, are familiar with directive forms of therapy. In these types of therapies, the therapist offers guidance, gives advice, and directs the client toward specific solutions. This works well for adults because we’re able to process complex instructions and reflect on our behaviours. When we think of therapy for children, it’s easy to assume that they would benefit from the same kind of direction: someone to tell them what to do or how to fix a behaviour.
But children aren’t small adults. Especially for neurodivergent children, traditional directive approaches can often feel overwhelming or miss the mark entirely. This is where Child-Centred Play Therapy shines.
Why Child-Centred Play Therapy is Different
CCPT takes a different approach, and it all starts with the idea that play is a child’s natural way of communicating. As adults, we use words to express how we feel and to process our experiences. But for children, especially those who are still developing verbal skills or those who may struggle with traditional communication methods, play is their language.
By allowing your child to direct the play in therapy, we create a safe, non-judgmental space where they can express emotions and explore their world at their own pace. It’s not about forcing a solution or giving instructions—it’s about offering the space and tools for them to work through their feelings in a way that feels comfortable to them and in their own time.
How Does It Work?
Imagine for a moment that your child is dealing with big, overwhelming emotions that they don’t know how to verbalise. Maybe they’re anxious, frustrated, or sad, but they don’t have the words to explain it. During Child-Centred Play Therapy, they can show those feelings through play. For example, a child might use toy figures to act out scenarios that are troubling them or build a structure that represents something they’re struggling with.
As the therapist, I don’t tell them what to do or what it means—instead, I follow their lead, offering empathy, validation, and gentle support as they work through these experiences in a way that feels right to them. This approach helps them feel empowered and understood, allowing deeper emotional healing.
Benefits for Neurodivergent Children
For neurodivergent children,including children with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing differences, CCPT can be especially powerful. Here’s why:
Non-Verbal Expression: Neurodivergent children often process emotions and experiences in ways that are different from neurotypical children. They may find it difficult to express themselves verbally or may need more time to process their feelings. Play offers them a way to express what’s inside without the pressure of finding the right words.
Freedom to Explore: The non-directive nature of CCPT allows neurodivergent children to engage with the therapy at their own pace. They are in control, which is empowering, especially for children who often feel overwhelmed by the world around them. They can explore their emotions, sensory needs, and experiences in a way that feels natural and safe.
Building Self-Esteem: Neurodivergent children may struggle with self-esteem, especially when they feel misunderstood or different from their peers. In CCPT, there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to play. This open-ended structure helps children feel capable, understood, and valued for who they are.
But It Takes Time... And That’s Okay!
I understand that as a parent, you’re looking for solutions that will help your child now. The process can feel slow, especially when the changes aren’t immediately visible. And yes, CCPT isn’t a quick fix. But here’s why the time it takes is worth it:
True Healing Isn’t Fast: Child-Centred Play Therapy focuses on the underlying emotions behind behaviours, not just the symptoms on the surface. While a directive approach might target behaviours directly, CCPT helps your child work through the feelings that are driving those behaviours, leading to more meaningful and lasting changes.
Building Emotional Tools for Life: The goal of CCPT isn’t just to manage behaviours in the short term, it’s to give your child the tools they need to navigate their emotions and experiences for the rest of their lives. Over time, they will develop emotional regulation, problem-solving skills, and resilience that they can carry with them into the future.
The Therapeutic Relationship Matters: One of the key elements of CCPT is the relationship between the therapist and your child. Research shows that the therapeutic relationship is the most important factor in successful outcomes. Taking the time to build trust and safety means that your child feels secure enough to explore their emotions deeply, which leads to more significant progress.
Understanding the Long-Term Benefits
Child-Centred Play Therapy might take longer than more directive approaches, but the benefits are long-lasting and deeply impactful. A study by Ray, Bratton, Rhine, and Jones (2001) found that CCPT was highly effective in improving children’s self-concept, emotional regulation, and social adjustment, with results that were sustained over time.
For neurodivergent children, the benefits can be even more profound. The non-directive, child-led approach allows them to navigate therapy in a way that feels natural to them, leading to deeper emotional growth and a greater sense of self-understanding.
Why Trust the Process?
I know that watching your child struggle can be incredibly difficult. It’s tempting to want immediate results, and it’s completely normal to feel uncertain about a therapy that feels so different from what you might expect. But I encourage you to trust the process. The time spent in CCPT is an investment in your child’s long-term emotional well-being.
By allowing your child to take the lead, and by giving them the space to express their feelings and experiences through play, you’re offering them something incredibly powerful: the opportunity to understand themselves, to heal at their own pace, and to develop the skills they need to thrive.
Inspiring Play: Paediatric Allied Health Therapies Sunshine Coast
We're Here to Support You
At Inspiring Play: Child & Family Play Therapy Sunshine Coast, we’re committed to supporting both you and your child through this journey. We understand that it’s not always easy, and we’re here to answer any questions or concerns you may have. If you’d like to learn more about how Child-Centred Play Therapy can help your child, please reach out.