For all mammals, humans included, play is a form of language. For children, it is the quintessential way of communication and a key component of natural development and growth. Play Therapy uses the symbolic expression of play for therapeutic healing. The following videos, created by the Association for Play Therapy, show an introduction to Play Therapy. For more information, check out their article here: “Play Therapy Makes A Difference.”

What is Sandtray Therapy?

Sandtray Therapy, a niche within play therapy, is a hands-on, creative therapy. It is a powerful form of play therapy that allows one to express themselves with or without words. The sand serves as a blank canvas for the symbolical expression. Using Sand in therapy, clients build miniature worlds & create scenes around topics of any desired focus. Sessions may be directive (with a prompt) or non-directive (no prompt). This process supports emotional integration and cognitive processing, often leading to deeper understanding of oneself and increased sense of safety.

What is Child-Centered Play Therapy?

Child-Centered Play therapy is a form of play therapy that allows children to express thoughts and emotions through play rather than traditional talk.

Children naturally communicate through Play. By using toys, art, storytelling, and imagination children can express things they see, feel, and desire without relying on verbal communication alone.

In therapy, these become the tools for processing experiences, fostering emotional regulation, build on learned social skills, and developing a stronger sense of self esteem.

Play therapy offers a developmentally appropriate way for children to express themselves, feel understood, and begin to heal.

CCPT is a researched-based non-directive form of play therapy developed specifically for children by Virginia Axline in the 1940s. This style of therapy allows a child to use play as a symbolic language for voicing and processing various emotions and behaviors in a way that encourages healthy brain development.

When using CCPT, I may integrate other directive play therapies (such as bibliotherapy and psychoeducation) if I believe it is relevant to the child’s experience and could enhance the child’s developmental growth while in therapy. I can provide more details about how I integrate other play therapies & psychoeducation during intake and consultation sessions. Parents/Caregivers may request I omit directive interventions if desired.

What is Family Play Therapy?

Family play therapy—often called filial therapy or Child-Parent Relational Therapy (CPRT)—is an approach that actively involves caregivers in the therapeutic process. Rather than the child meeting individually with a therapist long-term, parents are supported in learning core play therapy skills they can use directly with their child at home.

Through guided play-therapy coaching, modeling, and practice, parents learn how to follow their child’s lead in play, respond with empathy, and set supportive limits that aim towards decreasing problematic and/or unsafe behaviors. This process helps strengthen the parent-child relationship, build emotional understanding, and create meaningful moments of connection for families to carry with them for lifetime..

I typically use this approach with families who have younger children (generally under age 7), as it can be especially effective in supporting early development and empowering caregivers during these foundational years.

I also conduct family play sessions in group form - reach out for more information!

When to seek Play Therapy for a child?

If your child is struggling with big emotions, behavioral challenges, anxiety, or difficulty navigating social situations, you’re not alone. Many children don’t yet have the words to explain what they’re going through. Instead, their feelings show up through behavior, withdrawal, or overwhelm.

What does Play Therapy look like for Adults?

I work with clients of all ages. When working with adults, Play therapy is best when engaging in sensory regulating activity and/or exploring creativity. While we usually end up talking a good bit, you may also find yourself exploring different fidgets, sifting hands in the different sands, croche, draw, paint, play an instrument, build a comic or draft a play, tinker with building blocks, magnets, etc. There are many ways to engage in play therapy.

PS. I can, and usually will, offer some form of Play Therapy integration in almost every form of traditional talk therapy when working with teens, adults, couples, and families.