What Does a Child Do in Play Therapy?
This is one of the most common questions parents ask…and honestly, one of the hardest to answer in a single, neat description.
That’s because no two children are the same. There isn’t a “typical” play therapy session in the way people often imagine. What is consistent, across all ages, is this:
Play therapy is entirely child-led.
In the same way we don’t expect to know better than our adult clients how they should spend their therapy hour, we don’t assume we know where or how a child needs to play. Each session begins by meeting the child exactly where they are emotionally, relationally, and developmentally.
If you’re already wondering whether play therapy might be helpful for your child, you may also find it reassuring to read How Do I Know If My Child Needs Play Therapy?, which walks through common signs parents notice before reaching out.
What a Play Therapy Session Can Look Like
Some children walk straight into the playroom and jump into active, engaged play with their therapist right away.
Some children play quietly and independently for the entire session.
Some children don’t engage with the therapist at all and that’s okay.
Some children need time before entering the playroom at all.
When a child has a harder time transitioning into the session, we adjust. That might mean starting in the waiting room, or even outside. We gently remind them that this is their space and their time. The session always moves at the child’s pace, while still holding the hour as a safe and consistent container for therapy.
There is no pressure to “perform,” talk, or play a certain way. The work begins when the child feels ready.
Play Therapy by Age: What’s Different?
Ages 3–12: The Play Therapy Room
Children between the ages of 3 and 12 almost always begin their sessions in our play therapy room. This space is thoughtfully designed and intentionally stocked with toys that support:
- Emotional expression
- Creativity and imagination
- Nurturing play
- Aggressive release and boundary exploration
These toys are consistent with what you’d find in any child-centered play therapy room. The predictability of the environment matters…it helps children feel safe enough to express what’s happening inside.
Through play, children communicate their experiences, relationships, fears, strengths, and emotions in the way that comes most naturally to them. This approach is at the heart of our Child & Play Therapy services, where the focus is on supporting children in a developmentally appropriate and emotionally safe way.
Ages 11–18: Activity Therapy
For older children and adolescents, we often use what we call activity therapy. This tends to be less structured and more dependent on the child’s interests and preferences.
Sessions might include:
- Games
- Arts and crafts
- Sports or movement-based activities
- Creative projects
That said, children ages 11–18 are also welcome to use the playroom when it’s available. We remain flexible and responsive, allowing the session environment to match what helps the child feel most comfortable and engaged.
What Brings Families to Play Therapy?
Parents often reach out when their child is struggling to process big emotions—and those internal struggles begin showing up as big behaviors.
We also see many children come to therapy during or after major life changes, such as:
- A move
- Divorce or separation
- The loss of a loved one
If any of this sounds familiar, you may find additional clarity in How Do I Know If My Child Needs Play Therapy?, which explores these patterns in more detail from a parent’s perspective.
“They Just Play for 45 Minutes?”
This is one of the most common concerns parents share.
When parents hear that play therapy is child-led, they often ask, “What do you mean they just play?”
Here’s how we usually explain it:
Adults process emotions by talking things out. Children process emotions by playing them out.
Play is a child’s language. Toys are their words.
In play therapy, the goal isn’t to fix, correct, or mold a child. The work is about meeting them where they are, helping them feel accepted, and creating a space where they can safely express their inner world. From that place of trust and safety, growth unfolds naturally - this philosophy guides all of our Child & Play Therapy work.
Play Therapist vs. Child Psychologist: Who Should You Call?
Parents are often unsure whether they should contact a play therapist or a child psychologist—and that’s completely understandable.
The difference usually isn’t about care or skill. It’s about how children are supported and what the family is hoping for.
A play therapist is trained to work with children through play—their natural form of communication. Instead of relying on verbal explanations, play therapy allows children to express themselves through toys, art, movement, and imagination. This approach is especially helpful for younger children, or for kids experiencing anxiety, trauma, big emotions, behavioral changes, or life transitions.
A child psychologist often focuses more on assessment, diagnosis, and testing, and may also provide therapy. Families typically seek a child psychologist when they’re looking for formal evaluations, learning assessments, or diagnostic clarity.
We often reassure parents that neither choice is wrong. If your hope is to give your child a space to process emotions and experiences in a way that feels natural and safe, play therapy is often a great fit. If you’re primarily seeking assessment or diagnostic answers, a child psychologist may be the right place to start.
