Today’s article its brought to you thanks to a collaboration between Blue Minds and Supportive Engagement.
Let’s start off by understanding what play therapy is. Play Therapy is a counseling modality that meets kids at their developmental level. Play therapists use the power of play to help children do their internal
work, as play is their developmentally appropriate language and toys are their words.
When children play, they work on overcoming challenges, problem solving, expressing themselves, and mastering new skills from their day-to-day life. And most importantly, kids process and express their feelings in their
language. We all want to feel seen, accepted and create a loving relationship with a significant other.
This is no different for children, pre-teens, teens, and adults. When adults play with children, they are meeting these kids where they are developmentally, as well as attuning to the child. Adults can attune children during play time by providing a safe non-interrupting
environment free from electronic devices.
The most important part of interacting with a child during play is to let the child lead the play. Think of the child as the movie director and you are the actor under their direction. The goal is to accept the child as they are without changing who they are or what they are feeling at that moment, which translates to not asking questions, and strictly following the child’s lead.
When parents are fully immersed in their child’s play, even if it’s for 15 to 30 minutes a week, it can help children connect with parents on a deeper level.
During play, parents can attune to their children's facial expressions and acknowledge their feelings. This helps children learn to recognize their feelings and most importantly feel seen, heard, and not ashamed about what they are feeling. Again, setting 15-30 minutes a week of child directed, uninterrupted free
play can repair attachment, and increase communication and a sense of connectivity within the family system.
It is always recommended that each child receive their own special play time with one parent, without their siblings. Most importantly, always remember that all behaviors are a form of communication and play allows children and teens to communicate in the most natural form possible.
For more information on Play Therapy, follow us and get to know our services at
We also encourage you to follow the Child Psych Podcast for additional information on play therapy.
Jeymarie Guerra, LMHC, ADHD-CCSP, ASDCS
TF-CBT Certified Therapist