Did you know that play is a child’s natural language? Even before they can articulate words, they already know how to play. If you’re wondering how to better communicate and bond with your child, play therapy can have a multitude of benefits.

Why Play Therapy is Worth Considering

Think of fun and playtime as a doorway to best supporting mental health. When applied in a therapeutic setting, your child will be able to better address and express their needs and concerns.

Some of the toys in the therapy clinic room may look similar to what your child already has at home; however, the difference is really the intent of the toys present. These are toys that can create conversation and meaning, and be used to express things like feelings. In contrast, the toys at home are there for enjoyment.

What’s the Difference Between Play Therapy Done by a Certified Play Therapist and Someone Who is Not?

A certified play therapist has the following credentials, which you can explore in full below:

• A certified play therapist has gone through 6 weeks of training in different aspects of play. So the ‘play’ you encourage at home is not going to be the same offered at a therapy or mental health clinic, or there will be different types of play offered that your child may not have experienced yet.
• A certified play therapist has a minimum of 500 direct play therapy hours and 1,500 other clinical hours. In contrast, another therapist may not share this amount of time dedicated to offering play therapy at their clinic, or they’re currently in the midst of continuing their education.
• A certified play therapist has been supervised and shown to know the skills by another certified play therapist that is designated a supervisor by the governing body, i.e. they’re not offering the service without prior knowledge as to what is involved.
• Generally, it takes about 3 to 5 years for a play therapist to become certified.
• A certified play therapist has specific training in play-based techniques and how to understand play.
• A certified play therapist must continue their education in order to maintain their certified status.

What are the Benefits?

Besides having a chance to play in a supportive environment, often with forms of playtime not found at home, below are some of the top benefits of play therapy. These may appear as early as during your child’s first session, or throughout the duration of sessions at the therapy clinic. Overall, children will:

1. Learn How to Understand and Regulate Emotions

Play encourages children to explore, understand, and express their emotions in a non-judgmental environment in their natural play language. They may use role playing, art, and puppets among other play or toys to explore these things guided by the therapist. Children also learn how to regulate their emotions through play learning strategies in a fun, playful way. Age-appropriate strategies are introduced during sessions, which gradually translate into real-world coping skills.

2. Learn How to Process Grief, Trauma, or Similar Major Life Changes

Thanks to play’s use of symbolism, children can use play to better understand these major life changes and how to process their emotions surrounding them. Every child has a different response to grief and trauma, so play will look different as a result too.

3. Learn How to Express Themselves, Make Decisions, and Solve Problems

Play therapy allows children to explore making decisions and solving problems in a safe and non-judgmental environment. This helps to increase their self-confidence in these areas, leading to lasting change.

4. Learn How to Improve Social Skills, Parent-Child Bonds, and Communication

Many certified play therapy activities involve turn-taking, cooperation, and shared storytelling, which gently teach children how to navigate real-world social interactions. With guidance from a certified play therapist, children can practice reading physical cues, expressing their needs clearly, and building healthy relationships. These skills support stronger friendships and improve communication with their family, friends, and teachers. Play therapy techniques like Theraplay can help improve the parent-child bond/attachment through play focused on nurture, engagement, structure, and challenge.

5. Learn How to Adapt and be Flexible in the Face of Adversity

Play naturally introduces challenges, surprises, and moments where plans need to change. These experiences help build resilience and flexibility. Over time, children become more comfortable with change and better equipped to handle transitions, setbacks, and stressful situations.

6. Learn How to Improve Self-esteem and Confidence

As children continue to play and succeed in small tasks, express themselves freely, and feel understood, they will begin to see themselves as capable and valued. This nurtures healthy self-esteem and boosts confidence in their abilities both inside and outside of the therapy room.

Questions? Reach Out Today

Now that you better understand the benefits of play therapy done by a certified play therapist, maybe you feel more confident in finding a certified play therapist yet don’t know where to start. In that case, allow me to introduce myself. I am a certified play therapist who has met the criteria for training and clinical experience as mentioned above. I am certified with the Canadian Association for Play Therapy. Not only do I offer play therapy for children, but also I offer a variety of play therapy methods like Theraplay, sand tray, child-centered play, etc. where children and their families have valuable opportunities to find meaningful and improved connection and communication using playtime.

If you think play therapy at Supportive Steps is the right direction for your child’s needs, I’m available for initial consultations. Book a free 15-minute consultation here today.