Play Therapy (Child Therapy)
Play therapy helps children express feelings, build coping skills, and work through stress using developmentally appropriate play—often with caregiver support included.
There’s no single “right” therapy—many people benefit from a blend, or a sequence, over time. What matters most is a pace that feels steady and supportive.
Who typically provides this?
Often provided by therapists trained in child development and play-based methods; specialized play therapy training may apply.
Training note
Play therapy quality is training-dependent. You can ask about training, caregiver involvement, and how progress is measured.
Learn about credentials & training →What sessions can look like
- Therapeutic play (toys, stories, games) guided by a trained clinician
- Emotion labeling and coping skills built through play
- Often includes caregiver sessions to support progress at home
Often helpful for
- Anxiety in kids
- Behavior challenges
- Trauma
- Grief
- Transitions (divorce/moves/school)
Good fit if…
- A child communicates more through play than words
- Caregivers can participate as appropriate
If this feels hard right now, that’s okay
Sometimes the best next step is choosing the right pace and support level first—then building from there.
- A teen/adult prefers a primarily verbal format—other modalities may be a better fit
If you want help choosing a steady starting point, the quiz can narrow the field fast.
Questions you can bring to a first session
You don’t have to ask all of these—pick the ones that would help you feel confident and supported.
- What does a typical session look like with you?
- How will we set goals—and how will we know if things are improving?
- If something feels too fast or too intense, how do you adjust pace and support?
- How do you tailor this approach to my needs, identity, and preferences?
- How do you involve caregivers—and what does support at home look like?
- How do you measure progress in a developmentally appropriate way?
Educational only. Not medical advice. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency number.