Children don't always have the words to explain what they're feeling or why they're struggling. They may not know how to tell you that they're anxious, overwhelmed, angry, sad, or having a hard time adjusting to something that has changed.
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That's where play therapy can help.
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Play is a child's natural way of communicating, exploring their world, and making sense of difficult experiences. Through play, a trained therapist can help your child express emotions, build coping skills, work through challenges, and develop a stronger sense of safety and confidence.
What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy uses play and age-appropriate activities as part of the therapeutic process. Instead of expecting a young child to sit down and talk about what's bothering them, the therapist meets them where they are.
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Depending on your child's age, personality, and needs, sessions may involve toys, games, creative activities, drawing, storytelling, movement, or other forms of play.
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Play therapy is not simply "playing with a therapist". The activities are intentionally used to help children explore emotions, practice new skills, communicate their experiences, and work through challenges in a way that feels natural to them.
How Can Play Therapy Help?
Play therapy can be helpful for children who are experiencing:
Anxiety and Worry
Changes in Mood or Behaviour
Grief and Loss
Social Difficulties
Low Self-Esteem
Emotional Regulation
Big Emotions
Family Changes or Separation
Trauma or Difficult Experiences
School Stress
Difficulty Expressing Feelings
Difficulty with Change
There may not be one obvious clue your child is struggling. You might just notice that they don't seem like themselves. That's enough of a reason to reach out.
What Does Play Therapy Look Like?
Every child is different, so there isn't one standard play therapy session.
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Your child's therapist will get to know them and determine which approach will work best. Some children jump right into playing, but others need more time to feel comfortable and build a relationship with their therapist first.
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Sessions may include:
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Play and Games
Using play to explore emotions, practice social skills, build confidence, and develop healthier ways of coping.
Creative Activities
Drawing, crafts, storytelling, and other activities can give children another way to express thoughts and feelings that are difficult to put into words.
Emotional Regulation Skills
Children can learn to recognize their emotions, understand what happens in their bodies, and practice strategies for managing big feelings.
Problem Solving and Coping
Therapy can help children develop skills they can use at home, at school, and with friends.
Parent Involvement
Parents are an important part of a child's therapy. Depending on your child's needs, sessions may include time with parents to discuss progress, learn strategies, and find ways to support your child between sessions.
You don't have to wait until things get worse.
You don't need to have all the answers before reaching out.
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It can be difficult to know whether a change in your child's behaviour is just a phase or something that needs more support.
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​Our child therapists can help you understand what may be going on and determine whether play therapy or another approach would be the right fit for your child. Therapy is tailored to your child's age, personality, needs, and the concerns bringing you in.
Therapy That Meets Your Child Where They Are
At CW Therapy, we believe children deserve the same level of care and attention we give adults, but that doesn't mean therapy should look the same.
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Play therapy can incorporate other therapeutic approaches and modalities depending on your child's needs. Your therapist may use CBT, DBT, mindfulness, emotional regulation skills, or other evidence-based strategies within play and age-appropriate activities. This allows therapy to be tailored to your child rather than expecting your child to fit into one particular approach.
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The goal is to create a space where your child feels comfortable, understood, and supported while building the skills they need to cope, communicate, and navigate challenges.
Sometimes the best way to understand a child is to see the world through their eyes.
Meet our experienced Play Therapist
If you have concerns about your child's mood, behaviour, relationships, or ability to cope, we're here to help.
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Our child therapists use a variety of approaches to work with children, and play can be a natural part of therapy depending on your child's age, needs, and therapist. For children who would benefit from specialized play therapy, Katrina is our play-based therapist. She uses play intentionally as part of the therapeutic process, incorporating other therapeutic approaches and strategies based on each child's needs.
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Katrina offers specialized play therapy in person in Burlington and Georgetown.
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Book a free 15-minute consultation to learn more about play therapy and whether Katrina may be a good fit for your family.
Frequently asked questions
