Play Therapy

Play Therapy for Kids in Edmonton and Sherwood Park

Children often can’t put big feelings into words, and that is completely normal. Play is how they naturally communicate. In play therapy, toys, art, and games give your child a safe way to show what they are thinking and feeling, at a level that suits their development.

Insight has several therapists who are trained and experienced in providing Play Therapy. Find your child’s best match by filling out our short therapist matching quiz.

Who is Play Therapy for?

Play therapy is for children (age 3-12) who are struggling emotionally or behaviourally, including kids who are quite talkative but still find their feelings hard to explain.

What Can Play Therapy Help With?

Play therapy can be used to help children who are experiencing:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress and trauma
• Self-esteem issues
• Grief and loss
• Troubles coping with divorce, separation, or blended family adjustments

This type of therapy may be used to treat other conditions and concerns in addition to those listed above. It may also be used in conjunction with other treatment methods. Your child’s therapist will work with you to determine the best treatment method for your child’s individual circumstances.

What Does a Play Therapy Session Look Like?

The therapist will observe your child at play. They will notice how they play alone, when others are present and how they play after others leave the room. The therapist will notice which toys your child plays with and how they play. The therapist can also see how your child plays from session to session. Children tend to be uninhibited when playing, so this provides an insight into your child’s thoughts, emotions, and coping mechanisms.

The therapist may direct which toys your child will play with – depending on their goals for the session, or they may let the child lead, and the therapist will participate when needed.

Typical items and techniques used in play therapy include:

• Drawing, colouring, painting
• Puppets
• Sand tray and toys
• People, action, or animal figurines
• Dolls and dollhouses
• Board games
• Blocks and building toys
• Toy phones
• Storybooks

The therapist may ask your child to tell them a story or show them something stressful or scary in their life. The therapist can ask them to solve problems through games or puzzles. Play is a great way for children to express themselves and very insightful for the therapist.