So, What is Play Therapy?
So, What is Play Therapy?
Parenting can feel like a never-ending series of questions. "Is this normal?" "How can I help my child manage their big emotions?" "Am I doing enough?" One powerful way to support your child’s emotional development and mental wellbeing is through Child-Centred Play Therapy. But what exactly is it, and how can it help your child? Let's break it down.
What is Child-Centred Play Therapy?
Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) is an evidence-based therapeutic approach specifically designed for children, allowing them to express their emotions, thoughts, and experiences through play. Why play? Because play is a child’s natural language, it's how they make sense of their world and communicate what they may not yet have the words for. In CCPT, the therapist provides a safe, accepting space where the child can engage in play, leading the process without pressure or direction.
Through the play process, children begin to work through their emotions, traumas, and challenges, gaining the tools to understand and regulate their feelings. This therapy isn't about fixing behaviour or teaching lessons; it's about allowing the child to experience emotional growth at their own pace.
The Science Behind Play Therapy
Research consistently shows the effectiveness of play therapy in supporting children's emotional, social, and psychological development. According to the Association for Play Therapy, play therapy helps children resolve a range of emotional and behavioural issues, including anxiety, trauma, and difficulties with self-regulation . Moreover, Child-Centred Play Therapy, developed by Dr. Virginia Axline and later refined by practitioners like Dr. Garry Landreth and Dr. Dee Ray, is evidence-based and widely recognised for helping children navigate tough feelings in a gentle, non-intrusive way .
Key Benefits of Play Therapy for Young Children
Children often find it difficult to express complex feelings in words. Play therapy provides them with an outlet to work through feelings in a way that’s comfortable and familiar.
Here are some key benefits of play therapy for young children:
Emotional Expression: It gives children a way to communicate their feelings when words aren't enough.
Emotional Regulation: Over time, children learn how to identify and manage overwhelming emotions like frustration, sadness, or anger.
Building Resilience: Through play, children develop problem-solving skills, which builds resilience in dealing with life’s challenges.
Strengthening Relationships: Play therapy can also improve the parent-child bond by helping parents better understand and respond to their child's emotional needs.
Who is Play Therapy For?
Play therapy is suitable for children aged 2 to 12 who may be dealing with a range of emotional or developmental challenges. This includes children who:
Are experiencing anxiety, depression, or trauma.
Have difficulty managing anger or other strong emotions.
Are struggling with social skills or relationships.
Have been diagnosed with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism or ADHD.
Whether a child is going through a tough time because of a family change (like a divorce or a move), or if they’re experiencing everyday struggles at school or with friendships, play therapy can offer them a safe space to process these feelings and experiences.
What to Expect from the Therapy Journey
One of the key elements to understand about play therapy is that it’s a journey, not a quick fix. Children need time to feel safe, open up, and work through their emotions in their own way. There’s no rushing this process—it unfolds at a pace that respects the child’s unique emotional needs and development. As parents, it’s important to trust this journey, knowing that real, lasting change comes with time and patience.
Therapist Garry Landreth, one of the pioneers of Child-Centred Play Therapy, reminds us that “a child’s play is their way of working through difficulties, and this process cannot be hurried” . Play therapy is about slow, steady emotional growth rather than instant solutions.
Parent Well-being Matters Too
As a parent, it’s easy to feel the weight of your child’s struggles and forget about your own needs. But your well-being is essential to your child’s therapeutic journey. Therapy is a long-term commitment, and without a healthy, supported parent, it can be even harder for children to thrive.
So remember, it’s okay to reach out for your own support, whether that’s through parent coaching, therapy, or simply leaning on friends and family. Programs like Tuning into Kids® or Filial Therapy can also be a valuable resource for parents looking to build stronger emotional connections with their children.
If you take away one thing from this blog post, let it be this: there are no quick fixes in therapy. Real emotional growth and healing take time, both for children and for parents. But with Child-Centred Play Therapy, you can rest assured that your child is in an environment that nurtures their emotional development at their own pace, helping them to navigate the challenges they face with resilience and understanding.
The Path Forward
If you’re considering play therapy for your child or just want to learn more, don’t hesitate to reach out. At Inspiring Play: Child and Family Play Therapy Sunshine Coast, we’re here to support you on this journey. Whether you’re a parent looking for guidance, or an educator seeking insight into children’s emotional wellbeing, we’ve got the tools and resources to help.
Together, we can help your child take those small, meaningful steps toward emotional health and resilience.
Inspiring Play: Child and Family Play Therapy | Sunshine Coast Paediatric Allied Health Therapy
If you're ready to explore how play therapy can support your child's emotional development, visit our website, InspiringPlay, for more resources. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our services and how we can help your family.
Reach out, and let's begin this journey together.