More than just play time

Play Therapy is a form of psychotherapeutic mental health support, designed to best engage children.

Adults generally converse through spoken language, as we have a rich verbal vocabulary to best communicate complex thoughts. Children however, best communicate through play and metaphor, as bless them, they don't know many big words yet and their brains are best wired to learn their world through physical exploration.

Sessions are largely non-directive, meaning that, the child leads the sessions and the therapist utilises their chosen activities to fulfil a therapeutic aim.

For example, a client referred for emotional deregulation may choose a musical instrument. The therapist plays their own instrument alongside the child, at first matching the busy playing to attune to their heightened energy. Then the therapist regulates their own playing, adopting a heartbeat rhythm, silently encouraging the child to find their own grounding beat, focusing their energy.

Some conversations are more important than other conversations, some play is more important than other play

Within the therapy space, the child is guided to deeper levels of play "conversation", where they may process complex thoughts, feelings and experiences.

The same way an adult may become emotional during talking therapy, a child may experience some big feelings during play. This is ok, and it is a safe space for them to be vulnerable. Clients are made aware of the confidentiality of sessions, so that they feel comfortable expressing themselves in a genuine way, without the fear of mummy telling them off for saying a bad thing about their sibling.

Confidentiality will only be overruled, if there is a concern for the child's or someone else's safety. No specifics about the child's play will be shared with anyone and code names are used for record keeping.

A bit of theory

From a neuroscience point of view, play therapy supports how a child’s brain grows and heals. When a child plays in a safe, attuned relationship with a therapist, the brain areas for emotion, thinking and body responses begin to work together in a more balanced way. Repeated, playful experiences help calm the stress system, strengthen pathways for attention and self‑control, and build new connections in areas linked to empathy and social understanding.

The foundations of play therapy were built by pioneers like Anna Freud and Hermine Hug-Hellmuth, who recognized that play is a child's natural way of expressing themselves. Later, experts like Jean Piaget showed us how children use play to understand the world, while D.W. Winnicott emphasized the importance of a 'holding environment' for emotional growth. Building on these ideas, Virginia Axline developed the child-centered approach we use today, trusting that when children feel truly accepted, they have a natural ability to work through their challenges and grow.

Who is play therapy for?

Play therapy is for every child, not just those facing big challenges. It offers a safe, playful space where feelings, worries and experiences can be explored at a child’s own pace. Whether a child is coping with change, building confidence, processing trauma or simply needing extra emotional support, play therapy can help them feel seen, understood and more secure in themselves.

Age range: 4 - 13 years