Category: Play Therapy

It’s often easy to assume that children naturally have high self-esteem. After all, at such a young age, what could possibly bring them down, right? 

Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. There are plenty of life circumstances that can impact a child’s self-esteem, from bullying at school to tough situations at home. It’s just as easy for a child to lose confidence in themselves as it is for an adult. 

But, traditional talk therapy isn’t always the best solution for kids with low self-esteem. They might not be able to fully process their emotions or be able to express them to a therapist. 

Thankfully, play therapy is an effective solution that works with your child’s natural instincts, and can help to boost their self-esteem. Let’s dig a little deeper into why it’s such a viable option. 

What Is Play Therapy? 

As you might expect, play therapy is a way for children to express themselves and their feelings by doing something that comes naturally — playing. 

Children can’t always fully understand or express big emotions verbally. But, they can do it through various forms of play, essentially communicating what they’re feeling or going through without actually having to say the words. 

A trained play therapist can observe and interpret themes in a child’s play as a means of communication. 

There are several different types of play therapy. Child-centered play therapy involves following a child’s lead and tracking their behaviors. Directive play gives the therapist a bit more “control” as they guide the child through different types of play and situations. 

Therapists can use toys, art, music, sand, and even pretend play to help a child process their emotions. That’s why play therapy is helpful for things like anxiety, depression, grief, and even self-esteem. 

How Play Therapy Helps to Build Confidence

If a child feels disconnected from the world, or even from certain people, it can be a huge blow to their self-esteem. Play therapy can combat that in several ways. 

First, it helps them recognize that someone is willing to get on their level. When a therapist involves themselves in play with the child, it can create a strong connection and let the child know they are being heard and valued. That, alone, can boost their self-esteem. 

Second, it allows that child to feel more in control. They might not know how to express what they’re feeling through words or other actions, but when they become a master of certain toys, art projects, or activities in play therapy, their confidence will grow a bit each time. 

Finally, play therapy allows the therapist insight into what might be causing a child’s low self-esteem, to begin with. That makes it easier to develop a treatment plan that fits the needs of each individual child, instead of assuming some kind of blanket treatment works best. 

This type of therapy can also improve social skills and help with certain types of development, which are also confidence boosters for most kids. 

Can Play Therapy Help Your Child? 

Play therapy is a fantastic solution for kids who might be struggling with anxiety, depression, or self-confidence issues. It’s not easy to see your child think they are somehow “less” than their peers or hear them express that they aren’t happy with who they are. 

When you set up an appointment for your child to experience play therapy, not only will you learn what might be the source of those issues, but you can have peace of mind in knowing they can be overcome. 

Self-esteem problems don’t have to be permanent. Taking the time to help your child’s self-esteem now can encourage them to be strong, healthy, confident adults in the future. 

Don’t hesitate to reach out to learn more about play therapy.

 

Published August 21, 2023 by Mary Ellen Benz

 

Summer is winding down, and if you have a child, you’re probably thinking about stocking up on school supplies, back-to-school shopping, and making sure they have everything they need for a successful school year ahead. 

But, what if your child tends to struggle with separation anxiety? No amount of school supplies in the world can prepare you (or them) for that. 

Maybe they’ve already returned to the classroom and they’re struggling with being away from you during the day. That can feel overwhelming as a parent and you might find yourself at a loss for what to do. 

Thankfully, there are strategies you can put into place to help your child with separation anxiety as they return to school. Let’s cover a few solutions that can help. 

Talk About It

If your child hasn’t started school yet, talk to them about what to expect this year. If they have questions, do your best to answer them while providing reassurance that everything will be okay. 

Often, anxiety stems from a fear of the unknown. When your child has a better idea of what they’ll be walking into, they’ll feel more confident and comfortable. 

If talking doesn’t do the trick, consider taking them on a “trial run.” Most teachers are more than happy to meet students ahead of time, take them through the building and classrooms, and give them a bit of insight into what a typical day of class will look like. Plus, if your child is comfortable and familiar with their new teacher, they’ll likely feel safer on the first day. 

Don’t Dismiss Their Feelings

You might know there’s nothing for your child to worry about when it comes to returning to school. But, that doesn’t make their feelings invalid. 

Make sure they understand that you know they’re anxious and that it’s okay to be nervous. Provide reassurance as much as possible, but don’t try to talk them out of their feelings or dismiss them as “silly” or unnecessary. Your child needs to feel supported. The more understood they feel, the more secure they’ll be. 

Create a Routine

Everyone thrives on routine, but it’s especially necessary for kids. It’s a good rule of thumb to develop a routine that will work throughout the school year to provide a sense of comfort and stability for your child. 

Start a few weeks before the first school day. Wake your child up at the same time each day and go through a morning routine they can depend on. That might include things like having a healthy breakfast, reading or getting in some kind of physical activity, or just talking about the day ahead. 

This kind of routine can give your child a “constant” to look forward to, especially when there are so many uncertainties to face during a typical school day. 

It’s also important to have a routine in the evening. Your child needs to know that every day, you’ll be there. That kind of consistency will help to reduce the fear they might be feeling from having to separate from you each day. Spending some one-on-one time with your child every evening is a great way to ease anxiety. 

Don’t Expect Immediate Change

Don’t let yourself get frustrated or feel like you’re somehow failing if your child is still struggling with separation anxiety a few weeks into the school year. Work with their teachers and school administration as much as possible to create a cohesive plan that will help and comfort your child. Keep a routine at home. 

Most importantly, provide reassurance that they’ll be safe at school, and that you’ll continue to be there for them every day. When you’re okay with taking things slowly, you’re more likely to see success. 

If you are interested in hearing more about the benefits of child therapy, don’t hesitate to reach out for help in preparing them for school or other transitions of separation.

 

Published  August 21, 2023 by Mary Ellen Benz

Updated August 11, 2025