What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a form of counselling designed specifically for kids.
Where adults talk things out… kids play things out.
Play is how children communicate, process their world, and express emotions that they can’t put into words yet.
The Importance of Play Therapy
Trauma-informed play therapy takes regular play therapy and adds a deeper understanding of how stress, overwhelm, or difficult experiences affect a child’s body, emotions, and behaviour. This approach is helpful because:
1. Kids feel safe to express themselves
Children don’t need to explain what happened or how they feel; they naturally express it through play.
The therapist creates a calm, predictable environment where kids can explore and heal at their pace.
2. It supports emotional regulation
Kids learn how to:
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Recognize their feelings
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Handle big emotions
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Calm their nervous system
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Build resilience
This is especially important for children who experience anxiety, anger, fear, or emotional outbursts.
3. It meets children where they are
Trauma-informed practice honours the fact that every child responds to stress differently.
Play therapy adapts to your child’s comfort level, personality, and unique needs.
4. It strengthens confidence and sense of control
Through play, children practice making choices, problem-solving, and setting boundaries — which helps them feel more capable and secure in everyday life.
How does Play Therapy Help?
Play therapy can create meaningful changes in a child’s emotional, social, and behavioural world. Here are some of the ways it supports healing and growth:
Helps with emotional expression
Kids can show sadness, fear, anger, confusion, or worry in ways that feel safe. Without needing the “right” words.
Improves behaviour
As children understand their emotions better, acting out, meltdowns, or withdrawal often decrease.
Reduces anxiety and stress
Play naturally lowers tension and helps children release stored emotional energy.
Strengthens relationships
Children become more open, trusting, and connected. Improving family communication and connection.
Supports trauma recovery
For children who have experienced something difficult (big or small), play therapy helps them make sense of what happened while keeping them grounded and emotionally safe.
Builds coping skills
Kids learn tools they can use at home, school, and with friends. Helping them handle frustration, transitions, and challenges.
