How does play therapy help children heal from trauma?

Play therapy helps children heal by creating an atmosphere of safety where they feel free to express thoughts and feelings in comfortable ways. The process gives children opportunity to use words (or not) while the therapist shows genuine concern and interest in developing a relationship rather than just trying to reduce specific behaviors or symptoms. Once established, the therapist helps children give words and meaning to experiences in ways that normalize and validate feelings while finding more appropriate coping skills. Jennifer shares powerful examples: a child who witnessed a bloody crime used paint to "play out" the traumatic images until they became less scary, showing almost no symptoms after 6 sessions. Another child who witnessed serious domestic violence used toys to demonstrate specific acts of aggression and family dynamics, allowing rebuilding of the parent relationship and renewed sense of safety.

What is child-centered (non-directive) play therapy?

Child-centered play therapy is an approach where the child gets to choose what they would like to do and the therapist follows the child's lead. The relationship between the therapist and the child is valued over specific interventions or techniques. There are very few rules and those are imposed only to protect the safety of the child, therapist and the space/toys. Jennifer typically starts with this non-directive approach, allowing children to "hang out" without demanding or expecting anything during the first visit. This allows the child to build trust in the therapy process and get comfortable at their own pace. The therapist trusts that given a safe, accepting environment and appropriate materials, the child will work through issues at their own pace.

What is the Inside Out Feelings Activity?

The Inside Out Feelings Activity is a play therapy intervention that helps children explore and label feelings using characters from the Pixar movie Inside Out. It's best for children ages 5-8, though Jennifer has used it successfully with some older children. The activity uses the recognizable emotions characters (Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust) to help children identify and name their own emotions in a non-threatening, engaging way. Jennifer provides both a 4-minute video demonstration and a written infographic describing the activity. This structured intervention is particularly helpful for children who struggle to identify or express their emotional states, making abstract feelings concrete through familiar characters.

What toys and equipment should every play therapy room have?

Jennifer recommends getting items from each of these categories: (1) Expressive - Art/paint/markers/paper, musical instruments, scarves/dress up, (2) Aggressive - Handcuffs, dinosaurs, sharks/rope, knife (safe play versions), (3) Real Life - Doctor kit, kitchen, dollhouse, (4) Sand/Sandbox if your space allows for it (a favorite for all ages). When building your play therapy tool kit, don't just collect random stuff—look for toys that will facilitate creative/emotional expression, symbolize real-life situations, or help act out aggression safely. Shop at consignment sales, yard sales, and Goodwill stores. Used toys are actually better than new toys most of the time. Stay away from electronics and easily recognizable cartoon characters that limit imaginative play.

What assessment tools are used in play therapy?

Jennifer uses standard psychosocial intakes and mental status exams just like with adults, plus child-specific questions about school (grades, conduct, bullying), sleep habits, screen time, discipline techniques, family meals, and social media. For specialized assessment: ASQ-3 (Ages and Stages Questionnaire) for children not yet school age to assess developmental milestones, MCHAT to rule in/out autism spectrum concerns, CATS (Child and Adolescent Trauma Screening) for all children to determine exposure and risk for PTSD, and PHQ-9 for teenagers to screen and monitor depression. However, most assessment comes from actually interacting with the child rather than through standardized instruments alone. The play therapy process itself reveals much about the child's emotional state, coping skills, family dynamics, and areas needing support.

What books should I read to learn about play therapy?

The most highly recommended book is "The Art of the Relationship" by Gary Landreth, widely considered a basic starting point for anyone interested in providing play therapy. Second, Jennifer loves "The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog" by Bruce Perry—although not specifically about play therapy, it's an excellent resource for dealing with children who have experienced trauma, offering insights into how trauma affects developing brains and how healing occurs. There's also a great short YouTube video called "Introducing Andrew" produced by the Association for Play Therapy that explains the value of play therapy in a fun and entertaining way. Beyond these, read constantly—articles, journals, books about children and play therapy. Learning is a process that never stops and play therapy is no exception.

How do I become a Registered Play Therapist (RPT)?

Jennifer's journey included completing a certificate program at University of California San Diego extension for majority of required training, then doing intensive supervision at University of North Texas. Her top tips for becoming a play therapist: (1) Join the Association for Play Therapy (APT) to get magazines and journals—membership is not expensive and resources are invaluable, (2) Get good quality training through university programs and approved providers offering conferences, (3) Seek out supervision—don't just think you can attend a couple conferences and be a good play therapist; you really need supervision from someone who can help you through the process, (4) Start selecting toys strategically, (5) Read constantly, (6) Start with your own family, make your own children the priority, (7) Find time to enjoy playing yourself, (8) Connect with other play therapists, (9) Trust the process.

Can play therapy help children who don't have trauma?

Absolutely! While Jennifer's examples included trauma, play therapy is effective for many childhood issues including: behavioral problems at home or school, difficulty getting along with others, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, divorce or family changes, developmental delays, social skills deficits, anger management issues, self-esteem problems, and general emotional regulation difficulties. The developmentally appropriate nature of play therapy makes it ideal for any child struggling to express or manage emotions, even if they haven't experienced significant trauma. Sometimes children just need a safe space to work through normal developmental challenges, and play therapy provides that.

What's the difference between directive and non-directive play therapy?

Non-directive (child-centered) play therapy means the child chooses what they'd like to do and the therapist follows the child's lead, with very few rules. The relationship is valued over specific techniques. Jennifer typically starts here to build trust and let children work through issues at their own pace. Directive play therapy means the therapist structures activities or guides the play toward specific therapeutic goals, using particular interventions or techniques to address identified issues. Jennifer notes there are "some really good structured or directive interventions that can be helpful, especially with older children," like the Inside Out Feelings Activity. Many play therapists use both approaches depending on the child's needs, developmental level, and therapeutic goals.

How long does play therapy take to see results?

Results vary by child and issue severity. Jennifer's example of the child who witnessed a bloody crime showed "almost none of the previous symptoms (avoidance of the victim or the house, nightmares, withdrawn and anxious behaviors)" after about 6 sessions of play therapy and self-directed painting. However, some children need longer-term therapy depending on complexity of issues, severity of trauma, family support, and other factors. The key is trusting the process—as Jennifer emphasizes, witnessing "the process of seeing children mature and work out their problems from session to session" is what makes play therapy powerful. Change happens at the child's pace, and the therapist follows rather than forces that timeline.

What does a typical play therapy session look like?

In child-centered play therapy, the child enters the playroom and chooses what they'd like to do—paint, play with dollhouse, use sandbox, dress up, play with aggressive toys like dinosaurs, or anything else available. The therapist follows the child's lead, reflecting feelings, setting only necessary safety limits, and showing genuine interest in the child's experience without directing or judging. Sessions typically last 45-50 minutes. The therapist might say things like "You're making the mommy doll hide from the daddy doll" (tracking), "That seems to make you angry" (reflecting feelings), or "I can see you really wanted that to work" (empathy), but doesn't ask lots of questions or tell the child what to do. The child processes experiences through play at their own pace while the therapist provides safety, acceptance, and understanding.

How do you explain play therapy to parents?

While Jennifer's explanation focuses on what she tells children, parents need to understand that play therapy is a legitimate, evidence-based mental health intervention—not just "letting kids play." Explain that children communicate and process differently than adults; what looks like "just play" is actually the child's language for expressing complex emotions and experiences they can't yet verbalize. The play allows the therapist to understand the child's inner world, family dynamics, fears, and coping strategies. Through the therapeutic relationship and the play process, children learn to express emotions appropriately, develop coping skills, process traumatic experiences, and resolve conflicts. Emphasize that research supports play therapy's effectiveness for various childhood issues, and that the seemingly simple act of play creates profound healing when guided by a trained professional.

Should I get play therapy training even if I don't work exclusively with children?

Yes! Even if you don't plan to become a Registered Play Therapist or work exclusively with children, understanding play therapy principles can enhance your work in several ways: (1) You'll better understand child development and communication, (2) You'll have skills for the occasional child client or family sessions involving children, (3) Play therapy principles (following the client's lead, valuing relationship over technique, trusting the process) apply to adult work too, (4) You'll be able to make better referrals when children need specialized services, (5) If you work with parents, understanding how their children might benefit from play therapy helps you guide them to appropriate resources. Jennifer emphasizes that even implementing small aspects, like incorporating play or art materials with anxious adults or using the Inside Out Feelings Activity with families, can enhance therapeutic work across populations.

What should I look for in play therapy supervision?

Jennifer emphasizes: "Don't just think that you can go to a couple of conferences and then be a good play therapist. You really need to get good supervision from someone who can help you through the process." Look for supervisors who are Registered Play Therapist-Supervisors (RPT-S) approved by the Association for Play Therapy, have extensive experience with the populations you want to serve, can provide case-specific guidance (not just general theory), will review video/audio of your sessions to give specific feedback on techniques and relationship-building, understand both directive and non-directive approaches, can help you process your own emotional reactions to difficult cases, and support your development of play therapy identity and confidence. Good supervision goes beyond checking boxes for credentialing; it shapes you into an effective, ethical, skilled play therapist.

Play Therapy: Healing Through Play

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Understanding Play Therapy: An Expert Interview

Have you wondered what play therapy is and/or how you may incorporate it into your practice? This post will provide an introduction to play therapy, as well as give you an Inside Out Feelings Activity that you may conduct with your child/client to help him/her better understand and manage emotions.

Today’s guest expert is Jennifer Taylor, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Registered Play Therapist (RPT) specializing in individual, group , and family therapy with a speciality in Play Therapy.

Jennifer has 15 years of experience as a social worker and is currently working as a private practitioner at Jennifer Taylor Play Therapy Services, and an adjunct instructor at the University of Memphis and the University of West Florida, teaching graduate level play therapy courses.

So without further ado, Jennifer, what led you to become a play therapist?

I attended a conference on Psychological First Aid for children and one of the presenters was a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). It was the first time I had heard of that credential, but the things that she did and talked about (both practical tips and also ways of just interacting with children) were so helpful and really suited my personality.

After that, I learned that my area did not have anyone with an RPT credential because there were not any local trainings. Luckily, my husband got stationed in San Diego with the Navy and they have a huge play therapy base there so I was able to get really good training.

I completed the majority of the training required through a certificate program at the University of California San Diego extension and then did an intensive supervision at the University of North Texas.

What is play therapy?

Play therapy is a type of mental health counseling that allows children to use a specially designed playroom to facilitate expression of emotions and feelings. In play therapy, children can take control of the therapy experience by choosing to play and/or talk.

Play therapy is a developmentally sensitive way to help children who are not yet ready for the traditional counseling experiences that are designed for adults.

How do you describe play therapy to the kids with whom you work?

I would say something like, “Hi, My name is Jennifer. I work with kids who are having some trouble at home or at school so that they can feel better and get along better with people. I have a special room set up where you can choose to talk or play in most of the ways you would like. (and then introduce the playroom).”

It usually doesn’t take much convincing after seeing the playroom, but if a child is anxious, I would explain that their parent will be nearby if we need them.

I then allow the child a chance to “hang out” without demanding or expecting anything during the first visit. This allows the child to build trust in the therapy process and get comfortable at their own pace.

How do you usually begin to work with a child?

Play therapy can be directive or non-directive so it might depend on the particular therapist and their theoretical framework.

I typically start off with non-directive (child centered play therapy.) So, the child gets to choose what they would like to do and the therapist follows the child’s lead. The relationship between the therapist and the child is valued over specific interventions or techniques.

There are very few rules and those are imposed only to protect the safety of the child, therapist and the space/toys. However, there are also some really good structured or directive interventions that can be helpful, especially with older children.

Can you give us an example of how you are able to use play therapy to help a child resolve a problem or heal from a past stressful experience through play?

I am reluctant to provide specific case examples, but can say this: I worked with a child that witnessed a very bloody crime in the home and this child was able to use paint to “play out” the images of that scene so that it became less scary.

Although the child did not talk about the event very much, after about 6 sessions of play therapy and the self-directed painting, the child was showing almost none of the previous symptoms (avoidance of the victim or the house, nightmares, withdrawn and anxious behaviors).

Another child witnessed very serious acts of domestic violence between parents and was having behaviors that included violence towards the parent that was the victim in the adult relationship, as well as separation anxiety towards that same parent.

Through non-directive play, the child was able to use the toys to demonstrate the specific acts of aggression, as well as the family dynamics and conflicted feelings towards each parent (conflicted loyalties, positive/negative feelings about each parent). This play allowed for the rebuilding of the relationship with the parent and a renewed sense of safety for the child.

As far as how this happens…again it begins with creating an atmosphere of safety so that the child feels free to express their thoughts and feelings in a way that is comfortable for them.

It means giving the child an opportunity to use words (or not) and showing a genuine concern and interest in developing a relationship with the child rather than just trying to reduce specific behaviors or symptoms.

Once that is established, the therapist is able to help the child give words and meaning to their experiences in a way that helps the child to normalize and validate their feelings and find more appropriate coping skills.

Could you share a play therapy activity that you sometimes use?

In this 4 minute video, I describe an “Inside Out Feelings” Activity in which you help a child explore and label feelings. It’s best for children ages 5-8, but I have also used it with some older children with good success.

For a written description of the activity, see the above infographic or Inside Out Feelings Activity.

What are some of the key assessment tools or questions you use with the child and/or parent during the first few sessions (to gauge where the child is at developmentally and emotionally and what he/she needs)?

I use standard psychosocial intakes and do a mental status exam just like you would with adults. Some of the more child specific questions I ask have to do with school (grades, conduct, bullying), sleep habits, screen time, discipline techniques, family meals, and social media.

For children that are not school age, I use the ASQ-3 (Ages and Stages Questionnaire) and I sometimes use the MCHAT to rule in/out autism. Most of the assessment comes from interacting with the child but is not through a standardized instrument.

For all children, I use the CATS (Child and Adolescent Trauma Screening) to determine the exposure and risk for PTSD.

For teenagers, I use the PHQ-9 to screen and monitor depression.

What do you enjoy most about your work with children?

I truly enjoy the process of seeing children mature and work out their problems from session to session.

While I believe wholeheartedly in the science and theory behind child centered play therapy, being a witness to the process of how a child makes changes from one session to the next is a special experience.

And what do you find most challenging about your work with children?

For me, working with children and their parents is the easy part.

The most challenging aspect of working with children is that, unfortunately, there are so many children today who have witnessed horrific things or are dealing with issues that are so severe and complex.

It becomes hard to set personal boundaries on the number of clients to see in a day or week because the need is so great. And yet, without those boundaries, I become a much less effective therapist.

Jennifer’s Play Therapy Room

Setting Up Your Play Therapy Room

What toys/play equipment do you recommend every play therapist have?

You want to try to get a few things from each of these categories:

Expressive (Art/paint/markers/paper, musical instruments, scarves/dress up)
Aggressive (Handcuffs, dinosaurs, sharks/rope, knife)
Real Life (Doctor kit, kitchen, dollhouse)
Also a favorite for all is Sand/Sandbox (if your space allows for it)

Essential Play Therapy Resources

Which are your favorite 3 books/videos/podcasts for play therapy?

Far and away, the most highly recommended book is ““The Art of the Relationship” by Gary Landreth as this is widely considered a basic starting point for anyone interested in providing play therapy.

Second, I love “The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog” by Bruce Perry. Although not specifically about play therapy, it is an excellent resource for dealing with children who have experienced trauma.

There is also a great, short youtube commercial produced by the Association for Play Therapy called “Introducing Andrew” that explains the value of play therapy in a fun and entertaining way.

How to Become a Play Therapist: 9 Essential Tips

Lastly, what are your top tips for mental health professionals interested in becoming play therapists?

Join the Association for Play Therapy so that you get the magazines and the journals. They are a great resource and the membership is not expensive.
Get good quality training (there are excellent resources through University programs and also approved providers that offer conferences).
Seek out supervision -don’t just think that you can go to a couple of conferences and then be a good play therapist. You really need to get good supervision from someone who can help you through the process.
Start selecting toys to build your play therapy tool kit. Don’t just collect a bunch of stuff, but look for toys that will facilitate creative/emotional expression, symbolize real-life or help act out aggression.

Go to consignment sales, yard sales and Goodwill stores. Used toys are better than new toys most of the time. Stay away from electronics and easily recognizable cartoons.

Read! Start with the two books that I recommended, but also read articles, journals, books, and anything else about children and play therapy. Learning is a process that never stops and play therapy is no exception.
Start with your own family. Always make your own children (or those in your family) the priority. Don’t spend all of your time working with other people’s children and neglect the ones closest to you. My first and last play therapy appointment of each day is with my three beautiful children.

Jennifer and her three children (1 girl and twin boys)
Find time to enjoy playing yourself. Do things that you love and enjoy. Go outside. Get a hobby. Relax. Make sure that you are a good model of enjoying life and being personally accountable for your own well-being.
Connect with other play therapists. There are so many resources available on YouTube, Pinterest, and Facebook. Google for resources and connect with other professionals in person or online because I learn so much from their experiences.
Finally, trust the process. Sometimes it can feel like you are not getting anywhere or that it’s “just play” and “not really therapy.” But in the end, I believe that the play IS the therapy and if you trust the process and truly follow the child’s lead, you will start to have more faith in the power of play therapy and witness that it is the best intervention for children.

Thanks so much, Jennifer, for giving us this lovely introduction to play therapy!

What questions or thoughts do you have about play therapy?

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. This means Social Work Career may receive a small commission if you make a purchase. Regardless, I only recommend or include recommendations for products or services I believe will be good for my readers.

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About the interviewer:

Dorlee Michaeli, MBA, LCSW specializes in EMDR therapy for high-achieving professionals struggling with imposter syndrome. She provides consultation for complex cases involving perfectionism and workplace anxiety. Learn more.

Last updated: January 1, 2026

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