How Play Therapy Builds Children’s Emotional and Mental Health

When a child is hurting, parents often wonder where to turn for help. You may have noticed a sudden change in behavior, withdrawal, outbursts, or anxiety in your child. These warning signs can be unsettling, especially if they come on suddenly.

At Armstrong Family Counseling in Kansas City, we use play therapy for children to help children having emotional difficulty. When we talk to parents, they’ve often tried several other methods, such as talking to their child, establishing rules, discipline, and lots of patience. But nothing seems to work. That’s where play therapy can help.

Play therapy is a powerful, evidence-based approach that helps children process emotions, cope with trauma, and improve their ability to function at home, school, and in relationships. Play therapy is about much more than just “playing”. Play therapy uses forms of play as a valid therapeutic method that is tailored to the way children naturally communicate and learn.

What Is Play Therapy?

So what is play therapy? Play therapy is a form of therapy that uses toys, art, games, and imaginative play to help children express what they’re feeling when they don’t yet have the words. Just as adults talk things out in therapy, children play things out. It’s their natural language. Play therapists are trained to understand and guide that language toward healing and growth.

Play therapy can help children dealing with:

· Anxiety, fear, and phobias

· Trauma and abuse recovery

· Grief and loss

· Family transitions (divorce, adoption, moving)

· Aggression or oppositional behavior

· Social difficulties

· Low self-esteem or excessive guilt

· ADHD and regulation challenges

Play therapy gives children a safe space to process tough emotions, develop healthy coping tools, and build a sense of self-worth and confidence.

How Does Play Therapy Work?

Sessions typically happen once a week in a specially designed playroom, where the therapist selects appropriate tools and materials based on each child’s age, needs, and emotional development. Most sessions last 45–50 minutes and can involve either directive or non-directive approaches.

Non-directive play therapy (often called child-centered play therapy) allows the child to lead. The therapist observes and gently joins in, offering reflection and guidance without controlling the play. This builds trust and allows deep issues to emerge safely and gradually.

Directive play therapy involves more structured activities chosen by the therapist to target specific goals such as managing anger, identifying feelings, or practicing social skills.

Typical Activities in Play Therapy

Play therapy can include a variety of activities, depending on the child’s needs and therapy goals. Common tools and techniques include:

· Dollhouses and figurines – Children may use dolls or action figures to re-enact situations at home or school, revealing emotions or dynamics they don’t verbalize.

· Sand tray therapy – Using miniature objects, children build scenes in sand, often expressing complex emotions or trauma narratives.

· Art and drawing – Creating pictures helps children explore feelings in a non-threatening way.

· Puppets – A child might speak more freely through a puppet than directly, especially if they’ve experienced something overwhelming or shameful.

· Role-play or fantasy play – Acting out stories can reveal hidden fears or unprocessed experiences.

· Games – Structured games can teach turn-taking, frustration tolerance, and emotional regulation.

Over time, these activities help children build emotional vocabulary, understand cause-and-effect, and feel more in control of their thoughts and behaviors.

Goals and Outcomes of Play Therapy

Play therapy is tailored to each child’s individual needs, but some common goals include:

· Emotional expression, or the ability to identify, name, and manage big feelings.

· Healing from trauma by creating a safe space to process distressing experiences without reliving them verbally.

· Reducing aggression, defiance, or withdrawal by addressing root emotional causes.

· Helping children build trust and communicate more effectively with parents, peers, and teachers.

· Increased self-esteem by encouraging a sense of competence, agency, and self-worth.

Play therapy sessions build these skills and coping methods in a way that feels natural and non-threatening to children. Over time, their mood, behavior, and ability to cope with life’s challenges improves.

When to Choose Play Therapy Over Other Options

Talk therapy is highly effective for many teens and adults, but younger children often don’t benefit from it in the same way. They lack the vocabulary and insight to explain what’s going on inside and may not know how to respond to questions from the therapist. Play therapy bridges that communication gap.

Play therapy may be a good option for you and your child if:

· Your child is between ages 3–12 and shows ongoing emotional or behavioral challenges

· Your child has experienced trauma, grief, or major life changes

· Traditional approaches (discipline, school intervention, family talks) aren’t helping

· Your child shuts down when asked to talk about their feelings

How to Choose a Play Therapist

Finding the right therapist for your child is critical for a successful outcome. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the right play therapist:

1. Specialized Training – Choose a licensed therapist (LPC, LMFT, LCSW, or psychologist) with specific training in play therapy. This ensures your therapist has passed rigorous testing criteria and is up to date on new research and approaches. (You can view information and bios on our therapists at Armstrong Family Counseling on our Find a Therapist page.)
2. Experience with Your Child’s Concerns – Ask whether the therapist has worked with children dealing with anxiety, trauma, or behavioral issues similar to your child’s.
3. Warm, Kid-Friendly Approach – The therapist should build a strong rapport with your child. This bond is essential for effective therapy.
4. Parent Involvement – The therapist should involve you in the process. You should be informed of any updates and provided with strategies to help you support your child’s progress at home.
5. A Calm, Safe Space – The therapy environment matters. You and your child should both feel welcome and at home in the therapy clinic. A welcoming, well-equipped playroom helps children feel safe and engaged.

At Armstrong Family Counseling, we provide a safe, comfortable environment for both parents and children. We ensure both you and your child feel welcome and invited.

Finding a Play Therapist in Kansas City

If you’ve noticed your child struggling and typical responses aren’t helping, play therapy may be the approach your child needs. Our play therapists at Armstrong Family Counseling are available and ready to help your child.

If you live in the Kansas City metro area and are interested in play therapy for your child, please reach out to our team today. We would be happy to answer your questions and help you decide if play therapy is the right approach for your child.