Trauma & Play Therapy
How Trauma Shows Up in Children's Behaviour and How Play Therapy Helps
When children experience trauma, it can often manifest in their behaviour in ways that might look confusing or challenging. Understanding these behaviours can help us as parents, carers, and educators to respond with compassion, rather than frustration. Trauma impacts children differently depending on their age, experiences, and resilience, and each child’s expression of distress is unique. However, by looking through a trauma-informed lens, we can better interpret what children are trying to communicate through their actions and provide the support they need (Perry, 2006).
Dr. Bruce Perry, an expert in child trauma, explains that when a child’s stress response is activated repeatedly by overwhelming experiences, their brain begins to function in survival mode. This means they may appear hyper-alert, overly sensitive to loud sounds or sudden movements, or easily agitated (Perry, 2006). Some children may withdraw or "shut down" in response to stress, while others may struggle with impulse control, act out aggressively, or display excessive worry. Such behaviours are not signs of “naughtiness” or “disobedience”; rather, they are indicators that a child is overwhelmed and is struggling to manage big feelings and memories.
Why Trauma Can Show Up in Behaviour
Dr. Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory helps us understand why trauma may be expressed through behaviour. According to Porges, trauma impacts the body’s nervous system, making it difficult for children to feel safe or calm. In stressful situations, they may experience heightened reactions like "fight," "flight," or even "freeze" responses. When these responses are misunderstood, children often miss out on the empathetic, responsive support they truly need. This can lead to a sense of isolation, reinforcing the trauma's impact and creating barriers to forming trusting relationships (Porges, 2011).
How Play Therapy Supports Children with Trauma
Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT), based on the work of researchers like Dr. Garry Landreth, Dee Ray, and Dr. Clark Moustakas, is particularly effective for children who have experienced trauma (Landreth, 2012). CCPT provides a safe space where children can express themselves freely and process their emotions at their own pace. By creating a consistent and predictable environment, play therapy fosters a sense of safety, encouraging children to explore and make sense of their experiences without fear of judgment. Dr. Mona Delahooke and Dr. Daniel J. Siegel have both highlighted the importance of "bottom-up" approaches, like play, that allow children to process emotions in a way that verbal therapies alone cannot achieve (Delahooke, 2019; Siegel, 2012).
Through play, children are able to communicate complex feelings and experiences that they may not yet have the words for. Using toys, art, and creative activities, they can symbolically "act out" their internal struggles, helping therapists to gently and gradually guide them towards healing. Research shows that this play-based approach respects the child's autonomy and can help rebuild their sense of self, which is often damaged by trauma (Ray, 2011).
Why Child-Centred Play Therapy Works So Well
CCPT is grounded in empathy and empowerment. As Dr. Tina Payne Bryson and Dr. Susan David explain, children need to feel understood and respected to thrive (Bryson & Siegel, 2018; David, 2016). This approach is child-led, meaning that the therapist follows the child’s cues and allows them to direct the play. When children feel in control, they’re more likely to feel safe and open to exploring difficult emotions, helping to reduce the need for survival-based behaviours over time. Dr. Becky Kennedy also advocates for this child-centred approach, noting that children often feel a sense of relief when they realise they are seen and accepted as they are (Kennedy, 2020).
In play therapy, the therapist acts as a trusted, non-judgmental figure who helps the child process trauma without pushing them to talk about it directly. For many children, this form of indirect processing is both less intimidating and more natural, allowing them to express themselves in ways that feel safe and manageable (Landreth, 2012).
Seeking Support for Your Child’s Journey
If your child has experienced trauma or is struggling with difficult behaviours, reaching out to a trauma-informed therapist can be a meaningful step towards healing. At Inspiring Play: Child and Family Play Therapy Sunshine Coast, we provide a nurturing space where children can feel safe to explore, express, and heal through play. Each child’s experience is unique, and our therapists are committed to honouring that individual journey while offering the gentle, effective support that child-centred play therapy provides.
Trauma-informed care can be transformative for children, fostering resilience, self-confidence, and trust in relationships. If you feel your child could benefit from this approach, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Support is here, and you don’t have to navigate this path alone.
References
Bryson, T. P., & Siegel, D. J. (2018). The yes brain: How to cultivate courage, curiosity, and resilience in your child. Ballantine Books.
David, S. (2016). Emotional agility: Get unstuck, embrace change, and thrive in work and life. Avery.
Delahooke, M. (2019). Beyond behaviors: Using brain science and compassion to understand and solve children's behavioral challenges. PESI Publishing & Media.
Kennedy, B. (2020). Good inside: A guide to becoming the parent you want to be. Harper.
Landreth, G. L. (2012). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (3rd ed.). Routledge.
Perry, B. D. (2006). The boy who was raised as a dog: And other stories from a child psychiatrist's notebook: What traumatized children can teach us about loss, love, and healing. Basic Books.
Porges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. Norton & Company.
Ray, D. C. (2011). Advanced play therapy: Essential conditions, knowledge, and skills for child practice. Routledge.
Siegel, D. J. (2012). The developing mind: How relationships and the brain interact to shape who we are (2nd ed.). Guilford Press.