Play Therapy

Play therapy is a developmentally specific form of therapy that allows a child to navigate difficult topics and learn new skills in a relevant and meaningful way.

Enter into children's play, and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, and souls meet.” — Virginia Axline

counselling with a child

Play therapy is a form of therapy that allows individuals to process their experiences and explore their emotions through the process of play. During play therapy, the therapist is observing, guiding and engaging in the play to support the child’s growth and healing.

When children experience stress or trauma, they often do not have the words to express their feelings or process what happened. Through play, a child can: problem solve, act out and finish scenes, allow difficult feelings to be explored and resolved and more.

Play Therapy can be an effective intervention for:

  • anxiety

  • grief

  • coping with change

  • self-regulation

  • anger

Play Therapy can be a beneficial support for individuals who have…

  • ADHD

  • Teenager with dog using laptop

    ASD

  • Behaviour Challenges at Home or School

  • Communication Challenges

  • Big Feelings & Emotional Reactions

The Play Therapy Process:
Intake (submitted online)- Initial Session (55 min.)- series of child sessions (45-55 min.)- caregiver checkin- reassess

child playing with a toy
 


Play Therapy techniques and interventions utilize different toys and materials in a variety of activities lead by the child’s interests, age and developmental stage.

imaginative play
puppet play
sand tray
stories
games
playdough and clay
music and songs
movement
dollhouse play
building and construction