Children don’t always have the words to explain what they’re feeling. Big emotions like anxiety, sadness, anger, or confusion often show up in behavior—tantrums, withdrawal, regression, or acting out. For parents, it can feel overwhelming or even heartbreaking to watch your child struggle without knowing how to help.
That’s where play therapy comes in. Unlike talk therapy, which works well for teens and adults, play therapy is developmentally tailored to the way young children process their world: through movement, imagination, and storytelling. In a play therapy session, toys become tools, and play becomes the language we use to understand what a child is experiencing internally.
What Is Play Therapy?
Play therapy uses structured, therapeutic play to help children express feelings, build emotional regulation, and make sense of their experiences. Sessions might include art, storytelling, role play, games, or sensory tools—all selected with intention to support a child’s specific emotional needs.
With specialized training in play therapy, I create sessions that are both safe and engaging. While it may look like “just playing” from the outside, what’s happening beneath the surface is deep emotional work. Children process grief, navigate transitions, explore identity, and even recover from trauma through the safety of symbolic expression.
Why It Helps
Play therapy can be especially effective for children who are:
- Adjusting to divorce, separation, or a new blended family
- Struggling with anxiety, fear, or perfectionism
- Coping with grief or loss
- Dealing with school issues, bullying, or social stress
- Managing anger, defiance, or other behavioral concerns
Through play, children learn to recognize and name their feelings, try out new coping skills, and feel seen and supported—without needing to explain things they may not fully understand.
Supporting the Whole Family
The benefits of play therapy extend far beyond the therapy room. As a systems-trained family therapist, I involve parents and caregivers throughout the process. You’ll gain insight into your child’s emotional world, and together, we’ll work on strategies that bring greater peace and understanding into the home.
Often, as children begin to feel safer and more regulated, parents report that the whole family starts to function with more ease. There’s less tension, fewer power struggles, and more space for connection. Therapy becomes a bridge—not just to help your child cope, but to help your family grow stronger together.
Therapy for Children Under 12 in Indiana and Connecticut
If your child is struggling or going through a tough transition, I’m here to help. I offer play therapy as part of my family therapy services, working with kids under 12 and their caregivers to build emotional resilience and restore balance in the home. Together, we’ll find a path forward—one that’s grounded in connection, creativity, and care.
