When Other Therapies Don’t Fit: Why Child-Centred Play Therapy is Different

Has your child struggled with other therapies? It might be time to try something different. Here's why Child-Centred Play Therapy could be the answer.

As a parent, it can be disheartening to watch your child struggle to engage in therapies that are supposed to help them. Perhaps they withdraw, refuse to talk, or become restless and disengaged. This is a common experience, especially when traditional therapies are designed to rely on verbal exchanges or tasks that might feel challenging or intimidating for young children. Child-Centred Play Therapy offers a gentle, effective alternative that meets children where they are, fostering growth from the inside out and supporting a child’s development in a way that feels natural and engaging.

The Child-Centred Difference: Why Play Therapy Works

Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) is specifically designed with children in mind, focusing on play, which is a child’s most natural way of expressing themselves. Developed through the work of experts like Dr. Garry Landreth, Dee Ray, and Sue Bratton, CCPT offers a “bottom-up” approach, meaning it nurtures a child’s growth by supporting their foundational needs before addressing more complex skills. In contrast to therapies that focus on top-down approaches, expecting children to verbally explain emotions or perform set tasks, CCPT invites children to explore their thoughts and feelings through play, in a setting where they feel safe, seen, and understood.

Creating an Age-Appropriate, Safe Space

Young children often lack the language or cognitive maturity to fully articulate their needs and emotions, which is where traditional “talk” therapies can feel overwhelming or even stressful. In Child-Centred Play Therapy, a child-led approach helps children feel in control, working at their own pace. They aren’t asked to do anything uncomfortable or unnatural for their age; rather, they can engage with toys, art materials, and other play resources that enable them to express themselves in ways that feel right to them. This freedom to lead the session can reduce a child’s anxiety and resistance and fosters their willingness to engage.

Bottom-Up, Not Top-Down: Building from Within

In CCPT, the therapist isn’t there to impose expectations on the child but rather to support them in a journey of self-discovery. This approach aligns with Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, which highlights the importance of creating safety for emotional regulation. Through play, children explore emotions and behaviours in a way that respects their readiness and capacity for growth. The therapist guides the child in connecting with their feelings, which eventually allows for stronger self-regulation, social skills, and coping mechanisms—skills that naturally build up from the foundation of secure attachment and trust.

Evidence-Based and Developmentally Appropriate

Play therapy is a widely researched approach with documented benefits in helping children manage anxiety, improve self-esteem, and develop emotional resilience. Studies show that play therapy is effective because it works with a child’s developmental stage rather than pushing them into a framework designed for older children or adults (Landreth, 2012; Ray, 2011). This child-friendly model is empowering and therapeutic without feeling forced, which is especially important for children who have struggled to connect with other therapies. With its foundation in established practices, CCPT remains flexible, helping children build key emotional skills and resilience.

A Space for Every Child

In my practice, Inspiring Play: Child and Family Play Therapy Sunshine Coast, I see firsthand how children come alive in sessions where they feel safe and free to express themselves. When other therapies have felt like a mismatch, parents often find that play therapy opens up a new pathway for their child. For those families struggling to find an approach that truly supports their child, Child-Centred Play Therapy can be a transformational experience.

Sunshine Coast Play Therapy Practice offers Child-Centred Play Therapy

If your child has had difficulty connecting in other therapeutic settings, CCPT might be just what they need. Please reach out if you’d like to explore this approach.