Category: Play Therapy

There’s something truly magical about watching a child play. Whether they’re building block towers, creating imaginary worlds, or running around the backyard, play is how children naturally explore the world around them. It’s their way of making sense of experiences, expressing themselves, and processing life’s moments.

When you hear about play therapy, you might wonder how it’s different from regular play. The short answer is that play therapy takes something children do naturally and uses it in a purposeful and therapeutic way. Let’s explore what makes this approach so unique and effective.

Play Is Like a Child’s Language

Children don’t always have the words to explain their big feelings, especially after stressful or traumatic experiences. While adults can talk through their problems, kids often lack the vocabulary or emotional maturity to articulate what’s happening inside.

Play gives children a safe and structured way to communicate through something familiar and comfortable. A trained play therapist can observe and guide this process, helping kids work through difficult emotions and build essential coping skills—all through the language they know best.

Key Differences Between Play and Play Therapy

While both regular play and play therapy involve children engaging with toys and activities, there are several important distinctions.

The biggest difference is that a trained mental health professional is present during play therapy. Free play is spontaneous and unstructured, while play therapy is facilitated by someone who understands child development and therapeutic techniques.

Your child will also play in an intentional environment. The playroom itself is carefully designed with therapeutic goals in mind. Toys and materials are selected with specific intentions to help children express feelings, solve problems, and work through challenges. Everything serves a purpose.

Play therapy takes a goal-oriented approach. Play therapy has clear objectives and therapeutic goals. Rather than simply letting a child play for entertainment, the therapist tracks progress over time and guides the child toward healing and growth.

Many play therapists include parent sessions as part of treatment. These sessions allow therapists to share observations, teach parents new skills, and provide strategies for supporting their child’s growth at home.

What Play Therapy Can Help With and Why It Works

Play therapy is remarkably effective because it feels natural and safe for children. This familiar environment lowers their defenses and allows them to process difficult experiences at their own pace.

Play therapy can help children work through:

• Anxiety and fears
• Major life changes like divorce or moving
• Trauma and abuse
• Behavioral challenges
• Social difficulties
• Grief and loss
• Self-esteem issues

The beauty of this approach is that children don’t feel like they’re “in therapy,” they’re simply playing. Yet through this play, they’re developing emotional regulation skills, processing experiences, and building resilience.

Taking Play a Step Further

Normal play is essential for healthy childhood development. It promotes creativity, social skills, and cognitive growth. However, play therapy takes this natural process further by using play as a deliberate tool for healing.

When children struggle with emotional or behavioral challenges, play therapy provides a bridge between their inner world and the healing they need. It honors their developmental stage while providing the professional support necessary for genuine change.

If you’re concerned about your child’s emotional well-being or notice they’re struggling to cope with life’s challenges, play therapy might be exactly what they need. This gentle, child-centered approach can help your little one find their voice, process their experiences, and develop the skills they need to thrive.

Ready to learn more about how play therapy can help your child? Reach out to us by visiting our contact page to schedule a consultation and discover the healing power of purposeful play.

As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. You notice when something seems off, when they’re struggling, or when their usual spark dims. While adults can talk through their problems, children naturally turn to what comes most easily to them: play.

Play therapy harnesses this natural tendency, providing children with a safe space to express themselves and process difficult emotions or experiences.

But how do you know if your child would benefit from play therapy?

1. Big, Overwhelming Emotions

Does your child seem to experience emotions that feel too big for their little body? Children who would benefit from play therapy often struggle with intense feelings that show up as frequent meltdowns, explosive anger, or complete withdrawal from family activities.

You might notice your child going from happy to devastated in seconds, or becoming so overwhelmed that they can’t calm down for extended periods. Play therapy helps children develop healthy coping strategies for managing intense emotions. Through play, they can practice expressing feelings safely and learn techniques to regulate their emotional responses.

2. Sudden Changes in Behavior

Children typically develop consistent patterns in their daily routines and preferences. When these patterns shift dramatically without a clear explanation, it may signal underlying stress or emotional struggles.

Maybe your child, who once loved school, now cries every morning at drop-off. Maybe your independent child has become extremely clingy, following you from room to room.

These behavioral changes often indicate that something is troubling your child, even if they can’t articulate what’s wrong. Play therapy provides a non-threatening way for children to explore and address whatever might be causing these shifts.

3. Difficulties After Major Life Changes

Life transitions can be particularly challenging for children, whose world feels most secure when it’s predictable. Major changes like divorce, moving to a new home, starting at a new school, or welcoming a new sibling can create significant stress.

Play therapy offers children a safe space to work through these life transitions. Through play, they can process their feelings about change, develop coping skills, and gradually adjust to their new circumstances.

4. Trouble with Social Skills or Friendships

Social relationships become increasingly important as children grow, but not all children naturally develop the skills needed for successful friendships. You might notice your child struggling to make friends, having difficulty keeping friendships, or frequently getting into conflicts with peers.

Common social challenges include trouble sharing, difficulty communicating needs or feelings appropriately, problems with taking turns, or not understanding social cues from other children.

In play therapy, children can practice social skills in a low-pressure environment. They learn important concepts like empathy, cooperation, and effective communication through guided play activities that feel natural and enjoyable.

5. Trauma or Ongoing Anxiety

If your child has experienced a traumatic event or struggles with persistent anxiety, they need tools to process these difficult experiences. Trauma can result from obvious events like accidents or loss, but also from experiences that might seem minor to adults but feel overwhelming to children.

Ongoing anxiety might manifest as constant worry, difficulty sleeping, fear of separation, or physical symptoms like stomachaches or headaches without a medical cause.

Play therapy provides a gentle, child-friendly approach to trauma processing and anxiety management. Children can work through difficult experiences at their own pace in a safe, supportive environment.

Taking the Next Step

If you recognize several of these signs in your child, play therapy might be a valuable resource for your family.

Play therapy can help children develop emotional regulation skills, process difficult experiences, and build confidence in their ability to handle life’s challenges. Most importantly, it meets children where they are, using their natural language of play to promote healing and growth.

If you’re considering play therapy for your child, don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can help you determine whether play therapy would be beneficial and create a treatment plan tailored to your child’s specific needs.

Published by Mary Ellen Benz on November 3, 2025

Anxiety in children is more common than we realize. While traditional talk therapy can be effective for some, many kids struggle to articulate their feelings through words alone. Play therapy is a unique and developmentally appropriate approach to helping anxious children express themselves, process their emotions, and develop coping strategies in a safe and supportive environment. Here’s how it works.

What is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is an approach that encourages children to use play as a form of communication with a trusted therapist. It’s easier for adults to use words to express their feelings and experiences. But children tend to use play to explore what they’re going through, since they might not yet have the verbal capacity to articulate or understand their thoughts. Through play, children can externalize their worries in a way that feels safe and natural to them.

Therapists use a variety of tools and techniques, including toys, art materials, dolls, puppets, and sand trays, to help kids work through their emotions. Their sessions are typically structured to be child-led, which allows the child to engage in activities that feel most comfortable to them while the therapist observes, interacts, and provides guidance when needed.

How Play Therapy Helps Anxious Children

Providing a safe outlet for expression

Anxiety can be overwhelming for children, especially if they have difficulty verbalizing what they’re worried about. Play therapy provides a safe and supportive space where children can express their emotions without directly talking about them.

Helping children understand and process their feelings

Through play, children can act out scenarios that mirror their real-life issues. This allows them to better understand their emotions. A therapist might use storytelling or role-playing to help the child explore different aspects of their anxiety in a way that feels manageable and less threatening.

Teaching healthy coping mechanisms

One of the main goals of play therapy is to equip children with effective coping strategies to manage their anxiety outside the therapist’s office. Through play, therapists may introduce calming techniques, such as deep breathing, mindfulness exercises, and relaxation strategies. These techniques help children learn how to regulate their emotions when feeling stressed.

Building self-confidence

Anxious children often struggle with feelings of helplessness and low self-esteem. Play therapy gives children the space to make their own choices, solve problems, and navigate challenges, which ultimately develops their sense of control over their lives. As they find successes in their play, they build confidence in their ability to more effectively handle real-life situations.

Strengthening parent-child relationships

Many play therapy approaches encourage parental involvement, giving parents the chance to better understand what their child is going through. Therapists often give parents guidance about how they can best support their child outside of therapy. This might mean reinforcing coping strategies at home and creating a nurturing environment, so their child can feel more emotionally secure.

Who can benefit from play therapy?

Play therapy is especially beneficial for children between the ages of 3 and 12, but it can be adapted for older children and adolescents. It’s commonly used to treat anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety, separation anxiety, and specific phobias. Play therapy can also be effective for children experiencing stress due to life transitions, trauma, or family issues.

Finding a Play Therapist

If your child is struggling with big emotions and often feels overwhelmed, consider reaching out to a therapist who specializes in play therapy. Schedule an initial consultation with us to determine whether our therapists are a good fit for you and your child. Together, we can give your child the safe space they need to express themselves.

June 14, 2025 

Play is a creative and adventurous activity that comes naturally to children. It is a time where they can feel alive, entering a world that is entirely their own. Therapists can sometimes utilize something called Play Therapy into counseling sessions as a way to build trust and safety.

In relation to this, Theraplay is a concept that basically incorporates play with parental figures. Its differences, however, are that Play Therapy is normally child-led, meaning the direction of play is following what the child wants. Theraplay is where caregivers and the therapist control the narrative of play, encouraging the child to use words and feelings rather than objects for expression.

So what exactly are Play Therapy and Theraplay? And how do they help children feel safe, loved, and connected?

What Is Play Therapy?

Play Therapy is a form of therapy that uses a child’s natural language—play—to help them express their feelings, process potential trauma, and build coping skills.

Children may not be able to verbally say, “I’m feeling anxious because my parents are fighting,” but they can act it out through toys or role-play.

Key Components of Play Therapy

• Non-Directive Techniques: The child leads the session while the therapist observes and supports.
• Symbolic Expression: Toys and drawings can symbolically represent a child’s inner world.
• Safe Space for Emotions: Play becomes a way in which anger, fear, or sadness can be safely explored.
• Therapist Relationship: The therapist joins the child’s world with empathy, modeling safe interactions for the child to witness.

How Play Therapy Supports Attachment

By meeting the child in the safety of their imaginal world, the therapist creates a secure base—mirroring what an ideal caregiver would do. Over time, this can:

• Rebuild trust in caregivers or other adults.
• Support a child’s emotional regulation and their self-awareness.
• Strengthen their self-esteem and identity.
• Promote a sense of safety and connection.

Play Therapy helps children relearn how to relate to others in a healthy, trusting way.

What Is Theraplay?

Theraplay is a structured, attachment-based therapy that uses playful and nurturing interactions to repair the parent-child relationship and help the child feel secure.

Unlike Play Therapy, Theraplay is adult-directed, which means it focuses on relationships rather than utilizing objects for storytelling. It draws from attachment theory and explores the principles of healthy parent-child interactions.

Key Components of Theraplay

• Structure: The adult takes the lead, offering safe activities to do with the child.
• Engagement: Sharing joyful experiences together, like playing a board game or mirroring facial expressions, will foster connection.
• Nurture: Activities that replicate early caregiving—feeding, rocking, or gentle touches—help rewire how children experience comfort.
• Challenge: Adults present small, achievable tasks and support the child as they complete it to build confidence.

Theraplay often feels like playing simple games, but each activity is strategically chosen by the caregiver and therapist to activate secure attachment.

How Theraplay Supports Attachment

Theraplay is designed to mimic secure attachment. Over time, this kind of interaction helps reshape the child’s way of forming healthy relationships.

• Repeated positive interactions can change attachment disruptions.
• Children learn to regulate themselves in times of high emotion by self-soothing or seeking comfort.
• Caregivers learn to be more responsive and emotionally available to children.
• Mutual trust is rebuilt through play.

Integrating Play Therapy and Theraplay in Practice

Many therapists blend elements of both approaches, depending on the child’s needs and therapeutic goals.

• Play Therapy allows space for safe emotional exploration and processing.
• Theraplay strengthens the parent-child bond and encourages attachment repair.
• Together, they offer a powerful tool belt to support healing from relationship wounds.

Both of these approaches recognize that healing for children doesn’t just happen through talking—it happens through secure relationships, emotional safety, and play. Reach out today for further information on how these techniques can be custom-fit for you and your child.

Beyond popular belief, children have just as many thoughts and feelings as adults do. The difference? They are not yet equipped with the language to express what’s on their minds. This is where play therapy comes in—a therapeutic approach that allows children to communicate, explore emotions, and process experiences through play.

What Is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses play as a means for children to express thoughts and emotions, resolve conflicts, and develop problem-solving skills. It provides a safe, supportive environment where children can process their feelings at their own pace.

Key Components of Play Therapy

• Non-Directive and Directive Approaches: Non-directive play therapy allows the child to take the lead, while directive play therapy involves structured activities guided by the therapist.
• Use of Toys and Creative Materials: Items like dolls, puppets, sand trays, and art supplies help children externalize their emotions.
• A Trained Therapist: A licensed play therapist observes and interprets the child’s play to gain insights into their emotional state.
• A Safe and Comfortable Setting: The therapy room is designed to be welcoming, where children feel secure expressing themselves.

How Play Therapy Helps With Anxiety

Children with anxiety often feel overwhelmed by their emotions, so they may struggle to articulate their worries or fears. Play therapy helps by providing an alternative, non-verbal method for expression and processing.

Benefits of Play Therapy

• Encourages Emotional Expression: Play allows for children to communicate feelings that they may not have the words for.
• Reduces Stress and Tension: Engaging in play helps lower cortisol, or the stress hormone, and promotes relaxation.
• Enhances Problem-Solving: Through play scenarios, children learn to navigate challenges and develop coping strategies.
• Improves Self-Regulation: Activities in play therapy teach children how to manage overwhelming emotions in a healthy way.
• Boosts Self-Esteem and Confidence: Successfully expressing themselves and overcoming challenges in play helps build a child’s sense of self-worth.
• Strengthens Parent-Child Relationships: In some cases, therapists involve parents in the play therapy process, enhancing communication and bonding.

Common Techniques Used in Play Therapy

Play therapists utilize various techniques to help children express and process their emotions. Some of the most effective techniques for treating anxiety include:

• Sand Tray Therapy: Children create scenes in a sandbox using miniature figurines, helping them express internal conflicts.
• Art Therapy: Drawing, painting, or sculpting allows children to externalize fears and emotions.
• Doll and Puppet Play: Using dolls or puppets, children can act out scenarios that mirror their experiences and anxieties.
• Storytelling: Reading and discussing books about emotions and challenges can help children relate to certain characters and work on finding solutions.
• Sensory Play: Activities involving textures, body movement, or fidget toys help children regulate emotions and reduce stress.

What Parents Can Expect

If you’re considering play therapy for your child, it’s helpful to know what to expect from the process.

• Initial Assessment: The therapist will first meet with the parents to understand the child’s history, challenges and concerns, and personal goals. The therapist will then take time to build rapport with the child through games and activities.
• Regular Sessions: Typically, sessions occur between 30-50 minutes once a week, depending on the age and needs of the child. Consistency with engaging in sessions is crucial for treatment effectiveness.
• Progress Updates: Parents are not directly involved in every session, however, therapists may provide feedback on specific themes emerging in play activities. They may make certain suggestions on the best ways for parents to support their child at home or at school.
• Gradual Improvement: While play therapy is effective, the results take time. Be patient and give your child the space to heal and grow on their own time.

Play therapy is a powerful tool to learn to overcome anxiety. If your child is struggling with anxiety, explore play therapy as an option! Reach out today for a free 15 minute phone consultation.

Published: March 28, 2025  Child, Adolescent, and Adult Counseling of Denver

One of the main models of play therapy that our therapists operate out of, is Dr. Byron Norton’s Experiential Play Therapy Model. The founder of Denver CAC has trained under Byron for the last decade.  In fact, she credits most of her success in helping children heal to Dr. Norton’s theories and models.  Dr. Byron Norton, RPT-S is a renowned play therapist and an expert and founder of Experiential Play Therapy(EPT). With decades of experience, Dr. Norton has pioneered therapeutic approaches that emphasize the importance of non-directive, child-centered play. His methods focus on allowing children to lead the healing process through symbolic play, helping them process trauma and emotions in a natural, supportive environment. Norton’s work has significantly influenced the field of play therapy, making him a respected figure among therapists who work with children and adolescents. People from all around the world seek training under Dr. Norton, and if you have ever heard him speak, you understand why his trainings are so coveted. Here is a little bit more about his model and the model Denver CAC operates out of when it comes to play therapy.

When we think of children, one of the first things that comes to mind is their natural ability to play. It’s an instinctive, universal language for them, a way to explore the world, express emotions, and make sense of their experiences. Play therapy harnesses this inherent skill, creating a safe and powerful space for children to heal. But what is it about play therapy that transforms it into a tool for emotional and psychological growth?

Play therapy, particularly the models developed by experts like Dr. Norton and other registered play therapists, offers profound insights into the ways play can unlock doors to healing that verbal communication often cannot. Through play, children articulate what they may not have words for, allowing therapists to meet them where they are—without the pressure to fit into adult communication methods.

Understanding Play Therapy: More Than Just “Playing Around”

Play therapy, in its most basic form, allows children to use toys, art, sand tray, and imaginative scenarios to communicate and resolve inner conflicts. According to Dr. Byron, the process is more than just watching a child engage with toys. It’s about understanding the language of play as it emerges and evolves and knowing how to respond to what the child is conveying. This nonverbal dialogue builds a bridge between the child’s inner world and the therapist’s understanding of their needs.

Dr. Norton’s approach emphasizes the child’s active role in their own healing process. He views children as competent and capable of working through their difficulties when given the appropriate therapeutic environment. This environment is not structured by adult expectations but by the child’s natural process of storytelling through action, play, and symbolism.

The Neuroscience of Play Therapy: How the Brain Engages

What’s fascinating about play therapy is how it taps into the brain’s natural capacity for healing, especially in young children. Research shows that play activates multiple regions of the brain, including those associated with emotion regulation, social skills, and executive functioning. When children play out scenarios in therapy, they are not just reenacting their experiences—they’re also rewiring their brains in response to the therapeutic environment.

Dr. Norton’s Experiential Play Therapy model draws on these principles by allowing the child to guide the session. The therapist steps back, allowing the child’s play to lead, understanding that the child is choosing what is necessary to process their emotions or experiences at that moment. This fosters autonomy, giving children a sense of control over their healing while also engaging the parts of their brain responsible for problem-solving and emotional processing.

Play Therapy for Trauma: Creating a Safe Space for Expression

For children who have experienced trauma, play therapy offers a unique avenue for expression and healing. Norton’s work, along with other registered play therapists, often focuses on how play can bypass the brain’s natural defense mechanisms. When trauma occurs, the brain can suppress memories and emotions, making it difficult to access them through traditional talk therapy. Play, however, allows us to access the subconscious, speak to it and bring healing through it, while healing the deeper levels of the brain without having to talk about it. It’s quite magical.

Another reason play therapy is beneficial for trauma is because trauma is experienced in the sensory part of our brain- i.e. the part of the brain that operates our central nervous system, our heart rate, breathing, body temp, ect. Because we experience trauma in this part of the brain, research shows trauma is best processed and healed through sensory based interventions which access the sensory part of the brain. This is why adults find so much success with EMDR. For children with trauma this is beneficial in both ways: 1. Play is the child’s language. 2. Play is a sensory based therapy through things like sand tray, art, and pretend play.

Through symbolic play, a child may reenact scenarios that represent their traumatic experiences, but in a way that feels safe and distant. This reenactment is crucial for processing and healing, as it enables the child to gain mastery over the experience. As the child plays, the therapist gently engages, offering support and interpretation when necessary. This approach allows for healing without the child having to re-live the trauma through direct conversation.

Why Play Therapy Works: Freedom Without Expectation

One of the most beautiful aspects of play therapy is that it gives children the freedom to be themselves. They are not forced to conform to adult conversational norms, which can be intimidating or overwhelming, especially when it comes to discussing sensitive or painful topics. Instead, play therapy meets children on their level, in their natural state of being.

Play therapists trained in Dr. Norton’s methods understand that play is the child’s natural mode of communication. Just as an adult might need to talk through a problem, a child needs to play through it. The therapist’s role is to provide the space, the tools, and the presence required for the child to do this.

The Power of Non-Directive Play Therapy

Dr. Norton’s work emphasizes non-directive play therapy, where the child takes the lead in how the session unfolds. This approach respects the child’s ability to heal at their own pace and in their own way. The therapist’s role is to create a supportive environment and observe the child’s play for themes and patterns that can offer insight into their emotional state.

Non-directive play therapy is particularly powerful because it encourages the child to feel empowered. They’re not being told how to solve their problems or what they should feel; instead, they are given the tools to explore their feelings in a way that feels natural to them. This sense of control is vital, especially for children who have experienced trauma or have struggled with feelings of helplessness.

Healing Beyond Words

The beauty of play therapy is its universality. Children of all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences can engage in this therapeutic process because it taps into something we all understand, play. It transcends language barriers, making it particularly effective for children who are non-verbal or have limited language skills due to developmental delays or emotional blocks.

As Dr. Norton and other Registered Play Therapists demonstrate through their practice, play therapy is not a lesser form of therapy compared to traditional talk therapy—it’s simply different, and in fact, it’s the most effective path toward healing for children. By trusting in the child’s natural abilities and understanding the powerful language of play, therapists can help children work through even the most complex emotions, leading to resilience, emotional growth, and a brighter future.

Conclusion:

Play therapy offers a compassionate, child-centered approach to healing, one that respects the child’s need for autonomy while providing the support they require. Experts like Dr. Norton have shown us the power of trusting in a child’s ability to heal through their natural language of play. In this nonverbal space, children are free to explore, express, and ultimately, heal.

For parents and caregivers seeking support for their children, play therapy can be a lifeline, offering a safe environment for them to process emotions and experiences they may not be able to articulate in words. And for the children themselves, play therapy becomes a space where they can unlock their own potential for healing—one toy, one scene, one story at a time. If you feel your child would benefit from Play Therapy, reach out today for a free 15 minute consultation.

Depression in children is often overlooked, primarily because the symptoms can present much differently than depression does in adults. Stereotypically, people associate depression with low energy, intense sadness, or lack of motivation. With children, however, it manifests in ways that may not suggest a mood disorder. As caregivers, educators, and parents, it’s important to understand the signs of depression in young children so that the proper support can be provided.

Changes in Mood and Behaviors

While all children have bad days with a fluctuation of emotions, things like prolonged feelings of irritability, anger, or sadness may indicate something serious. This may look like:

• Persistent anger or irritability that lasts days.
• Frequent temper tantrums or emotional outbursts.
• Withdrawal from social interactions and decreased responsiveness towards others.
• Little or no moments of joy or cheerfulness.
• Growing increasingly frustrated over minor issues.

Physical Symptoms

Physical pain may not be thought of as a symptom of depression, however, with younger children, excessive body aches may be an indicator.

• Stomachaches, headaches, and other physical pain without a medical diagnosis.
• Changes in appetites, such as losing interest in food that causes weight loss, or eating in large amounts to cope with feelings.
• Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, waking up in the morning, or sleeping too often.
• Low levels of energy unrelated to physical activity.

Difficulty Concentrating

Children with depression may struggle with focus, which ultimately hurts academic performance.

• Difficulty completing tasks, following instructions, or retaining information.
• Lack of interest in school and no motivation to meet academic goals.
• Daydreaming, falling behind, or appearing easily distracted.
• Lack of participation in class activities.

Loss of Interest in Activities

Social withdrawal is another major symptom of depression in children.

• No longer wanting to play with friends, engage in hobbies, or participate in family activities.
• Isolating themselves and spending more time alone.
• Showing little interest in things that typically bring them joy.
• Refusal to participate in social events or group activities.

Low Self-Esteem and Feelings of Worthlessness

Even at a young age, children can start exhibiting signs of low self-esteem and viewing themselves in a negative way.

• Expressing negative thoughts about themselves such as “I am not good at anything,” or “Nobody likes me.”
• Frequent feelings of inadequacy or believing they are bad or unlikeable.
• Lack of confidence in their skills and abilities, even in areas where they used to be good.
• Avoiding new challenges or experiences due to fear of failure.
• Having no goals or aspirations for their future.

Increased Sensitivity to Criticism

Younger children with depression may react strongly to corrections or statements made by adults or peers.

• Experiencing an intense wave of emotions after perceived criticisms.
• Anticipating rejection or failure for future situations.
• Becoming overly dependent on reassurance from parents, teachers, or friends.
• Fearing disapproval from others.
• Showing signs of anxiety, such as fidgeting, restlessness, or irritability when they are faced with a challenge.

Risk of Self-Harm or Suicidal Thoughts

Even though it’s difficult to imagine, children can also experience thoughts of self-harm and suicide. When a child is struggling with depression, these thoughts may be amplified, and could look like:

• Talking about wanting to disappear, run away, or wishing they didn’t exist.
• Engaging in self-harm behaviors, such as scratching, cutting, or hitting themselves.
• Making alarming statements including “I wish I wasn’t born,” or “No one would miss me if I was gone.”

Any mention of self-harm and suicide from your child should be taken seriously. If you ever hear or witness these symptoms, it should be treated as an urgent medical concern.

How to Help

If you suspect a child is suffering from depression, it’s crucial to seek help from a mental health professional as soon as you can. A pediatrician, therapist, or psychologist can properly evaluate your child and assess for the depression diagnosis. Once given, treatment options will be provided and may include Play Therapy, CBT, or Talk Therapy based on what treatment is developmentally appropriate for the child. Schedule a session today.

Like adults, children experience stress and anxiety. However, unlike adults, children often lack the language or understanding to express their feelings or cope effectively. Play therapy is a powerful tool for helping children express themselves nonverbally. Therapists create a safe environment through guided play for kids to explore their feelings, build coping mechanisms, and improve their overall emotional well-being. Here are five ways play therapy can help alleviate stress in children and why it is a valuable tool for promoting mental health.

1. Providing a Safe Environment

Play therapy creates a safe, controlled environment for children to express themselves. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which might be intimidating for children, play therapy allows them to communicate using toys, games, and activities. This is particularly beneficial for children who struggle to articulate their feelings. This setting reduces anxiety because feelings can be expressed without fear of repercussions. By using play as a means of expression, children have the opportunity to work through their stress in a way that is comfortable and natural to them.

2. Facilitating Emotional Expression and Processing

Play therapy provides the environment for children to express and process their emotions in healthy ways. Through different play activities, kids can recreate and explore scenarios related to stressors, such as family conflicts, school bullying, or even traumatic events. By using toys to recreate these events, they are able to work through their feelings of anxiety and stress in very tangible ways.

Additionally, by externalizing emotions through play, children can gain new insight into their feelings and the event itself. With the help of a therapist, they can learn to identify and label emotions and learn effective coping techniques.

3. Enhance Coping Skills and Resilience

One of the greatest benefits of play therapy is the ability to teach children coping skills and increase their resilience. In therapy sessions, kids engage in activities that promote social skills, problem-solving, and self-regulation. These activities teach children valuable life skills that help them cope with stress and navigate difficult situations. Therapists often use role-playing and storytelling to help kids develop positive coping skills. This helps kids develop a toolkit they can use in real life to help them manage stress more effectively.

4. Strengthen Relationships

An added benefit of play therapy is that it can enhance the parent-child relationship. Many therapy models involve a parent or caregiver in the therapeutic process, either by participating or receiving guidance on supporting their child. This involvement promotes family bonds and improves communication between the parent and child. When parents can understand their child’s emotional needs, they can offer effective means to support and nurture them. This helps reduce a child’s stress and create a stable foundation for emotional growth.

5. Increases Self-Confidence

Play therapy helps children build self-esteem and confidence, which are essential for managing stress. In therapy, children engage in activities and experience success that allows them to feel a sense of accomplishment. As their confidence grows, they are able to take on new challenges and better manage stressful situations. Children develop a more positive self-image and a greater sense of resilience as they recognize their strengths through play. This enhanced self-esteem allows kids to cope better with stressors and build a healthy emotional outlook.

Contact Us

Play is one of the most important aspects of childhood and can be exceptionally helpful when your child is struggling. In sessions, your child can learn how to share, build cooperation skills, gain self-awareness, and work through any issues that are hindering their development. If you think your child would benefit from play therapy, contact us today to learn more.

Why is it that toddlers, as much as we love them, act in such frustrating ways? They throw tantrums, they pick their noses, they insist on saying no to everything, and they like to repeat things over and over and over again. Is that kind of behavior normal? And if so, how can we help them develop when we struggle not to snap at them every time they act out?

As it happens, many annoying behaviors from toddlers are vital to their development. That’s unfortunate for us, especially during our worst days, when we feel like anything might set us off. But it’s possible to help them develop even when we find them annoying. It just means we have to keep in mind a few things.

Be Patient

Have you noticed yourself repeating the same rules over and over? Don’t draw on the walls, don’t bite other children. But you can say it once, you can say it twice, and your toddler still doesn’t get it.

Patience is the real trick. Lessons and messages take time to sink in. You may have repeated the rule twice, but you will likely need to repeat it five, six, seven more times, and maybe then it might stick. The trick is to persevere, to keep repeating it until your toddler finally gets it.

And they will get it. It just takes a little time and a few reminders on your part. This can seem very annoying, but it will be worth it in the long run.

Remember Their Age

Do you find yourself expecting your toddler to act older than they are? You might not necessarily treat them like an adult, but you might find yourself treating them like they’re well above their current age, with a little more life experience under their belt.

It’s understandable, especially when they’re behaving annoyingly, and you need another thirty minutes to finish doing something really important. But your toddler is still very much a toddler. They won’t wait thirty minutes for you to finish what you’re doing just to ask for something.

That doesn’t mean you should run to them at every command, it just means to make sure you keep it realistic. Remember how old they are, remember how they’re likely to behave at that age, and find a compromise. Maybe, if what you want is to wash dishes, you can round up every dirty dish in the house first and then see what your toddler wants. That’s more likely to be successful than making them wait until after you’ve washed everything in the house.

Find Balance

Toddlers are notorious for their attempts at independence: putting their own shoes on, eating on their own. Toddler independence is also notorious for being very annoying and time-consuming, but it’s important to their development. The trick is to find the right balance between letting them develop that independence, and also putting your foot down when you need to.

If you absolutely need to get out of the house within twenty minutes, then finish dressing your toddler yourself, even if they want to be the ones to put their shoes on. But if you’re just going for a walk and you don’t need to rush, then let them finish getting dressed on their own. Encourage their independence, but also remember that sometimes, things just need to be done quickly.

Talk to Someone

Parenting is difficult, and sometimes frustrations just stay with you even when you don’t want them to. Counseling can help you deal with all these unresolved annoyances. Play Therapy can help your child regulate so you can be in more harmony together. So, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with us. With our help, you will be able to focus on bringing up your child as best you can without neglecting your own emotional needs.