When adults are struggling, we often talk about our thoughts, feelings, and experiences. We use words to make sense of what is happening inside us.

Children are different.

While children certainly communicate through words, they often express themselves most naturally through play. Toys, stories, drawings, role-play, and creative activities become the language through which they explore their world and process their experiences.

This is where play therapy comes in.

What Is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a developmentally appropriate form of counselling that uses play as a way for children to express themselves, process emotions, and work through challenges.

Children do not always have the words to explain why they are feeling anxious, angry, sad, confused, or overwhelmed. Through play, however, they can communicate thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to put into words.

In many ways, play is a child’s natural language.

A child who is struggling with a life change, grief, anxiety, friendship difficulties, behavioural challenges, or family stress may express aspects of these experiences through the themes and stories that emerge during play.

More Than “Just Playing”

One of the most common misconceptions about play therapy is that children simply come to the therapy room to play.

While play is certainly an important part of the process, there is much more happening beneath the surface.

As a play therapist, I pay attention to the child’s emotional experiences, behavioural patterns, relationships, communication style, and the themes that emerge during play. Through carefully selected activities and therapeutic interactions, children are supported in understanding and expressing their feelings, developing coping skills, and building emotional resilience.

The goal is not simply to entertain children—it is to help them better understand themselves and their experiences.

How Play Therapy Can Help

Play therapy can be beneficial for children experiencing a wide range of emotional, behavioural, and social challenges, including:

• Anxiety and excessive worry
• Low self-esteem
• Emotional regulation difficulties
• Behavioural challenges
• Family transitions such as divorce or remarriage
• Grief and loss
• Friendship difficulties
• School-related stress
• Trauma and difficult life experiences

Play therapy can also help children develop important life skills such as emotional awareness, problem-solving, communication, confidence, and healthy coping strategies.

The Importance of Working With Parents

One of the things I value most about working with children is partnering with parents throughout the therapeutic process.

Children do not exist in isolation. Their growth happens within the context of their family, school, friendships, and broader environment.

For this reason, parent involvement is often an important part of therapy. Alongside supporting the child, I work with parents and/or educators to better understand their child’s emotional world and provide practical strategies that can be implemented at home.

Often, small changes in understanding can have a significant impact on a child’s wellbeing.

What to Expect

My goal is to create a safe, warm, and accepting environment where children feel comfortable enough to be themselves.

Through play, creativity, curiosity, and connection, children are given the opportunity to explore their experiences, express difficult feelings, and develop new ways of coping with life’s challenges.

Every child is unique, and so is every therapeutic journey. Rather than focusing solely on behaviour, I aim to understand the child behind the behaviour and support them in developing the skills and confidence they need to thrive.

If there is one thing I hope parents understand about play therapy, it is this: children are often telling us far more than we realise through their play. When we learn to listen to that language, we create opportunities for understanding, connection, and meaningful growth.

-Inge Alberts