Play therapy is a form of counselling designed especially for children. Instead of using words alone, children use play to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. A trained play therapist uses toys, games, and creative activities to help children understand and manage their emotions in a safe and supportive environment.

Play is how children naturally communicate. While adults talk about their feelings, children show their feelings through play. Toys become their “words.” Through play, children can express things they may not yet have the language for, or feelings they may find hard or unsafe to talk about. Play allows children to explore emotions, experiences, and worries in a way that feels natural and non-threatening.

Yes. Research shows that play therapy can help children with a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, trauma, behavioural issues, and ADHD. Many children show improvements in emotional well-being, behaviour, confidence, and coping skills after engaging in play therapy.

Traditional counselling relies heavily on talking. Play therapy uses play as the main form of communication, making it more suitable and effective for children who may not yet have the words to express complex emotions.

In play therapy, your child is given a safe space and a trusting relationship with the therapist. Through play, your child can explore their feelings, experiences, and behaviours at their own pace. Over time, children may develop: • Better emotional awareness and regulation • Improved problem-solving skills • Increased confidence and self-esteem • A sense of choice, control, and responsibility • Healthier ways to express feelings Children learn that their feelings matter and that they are accepted for who they are.

Yes. While play therapy is most commonly used with children, elements of play-based and creative therapy can also be helpful for adolescents and adults. Play, art, movement, and creative expression can support emotional regulation, self-awareness, and healing at any age - especially for those who find it hard to express feelings with words alone.

Play therapy can support children who experience emotional, behavioural, or social challenges such as anxiety, emotional outbursts, difficulty regulating emotions, low self-esteem, grief, trauma, behavioural concerns, or challenges with attention and relationships.

Play therapy is most effective for children aged approximately 3 to 12 years old. Teenagers and adults may also benefit from play-based or creative therapeutic approaches depending on their needs.