Play Therapy in Richmond, VA
By Johnathan Crawford, Pathways Family and Community Services, Mechanicsville
So, your child’s pediatrician or school principal said to find your child a play therapist in the area. You go home and google “play therapists near me.” Now, you’re asking yourself “what is play therapy, anyway?” When children are struggling emotionally or behaviorally, they may not always have the words to explain what they are feeling. But, they may be able to express what they need to through toys, sand tray, storytelling, and other developmentally appropriate means. Play therapy gives children a safe, supportive way to express emotions, process experiences, and build coping skills through play, which is a child’s natural form of communication.
For many families, play therapy can be a helpful option when a child is dealing with anxiety, grief, trauma, behavioral challenges, or big life changes. Because it is developmentally appropriate, it allows children to work through difficult experiences in a way that feels more comfortable than traditional talk therapy. The toys are the words and the play is the story, so to speak.
What Is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a therapeutic approach in which a trained professional uses play materials, activities, and a trusting relationship to help a child express thoughts and feelings. Instead of relying only on conversation, the therapist uses toys, games, art, storytelling, and imaginative play to help the child communicate in a natural way. These therapeutic approaches may be directive or non-directive based on the child’s needs.
Play therapy is different from ordinary play at home because it is intentional and goal-oriented. The therapist observes patterns in the child’s play, supports emotional expression, and helps the child build skills that support healing and growth. The toys are chosen purposefully and the playful activities are goal-oriented.
Why Play Helps
Children often communicate more easily through action and imagination than through direct conversation. Imagine asking a 4 year old to sit on the couch in front of a stranger and talk about her feelings for an hour! But, asking her to come play a game or build her world in the sand tray would be much more appropriate. Play gives children a way to show what they are feeling, practice new behaviors, and safely explore experiences that may have been confusing or overwhelming.
This makes play therapy especially useful for children who have trouble naming emotions, sitting still in a traditional session, or talking directly about difficult experiences. The play room becomes a place where the child can feel understood without being pressured to explain everything in words. It’s also a way to get the right hemisphere of the brain involved, which often leads to positive, long-term benefits.
Common Reasons Families Seek Play Therapy
Families may consider play therapy when a child is experiencing emotional, social, or behavioral concerns. Common reasons include anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, family transitions, aggression, impulsivity, difficulty with peers, or trouble regulating emotions. It may also be helpful for children who have experienced divorce, separation, bullying, hospitalizations, or other stressful events. In those situations, play therapy can help children process experiences and develop healthier coping strategies.
Benefits of Play Therapy
Play therapy can support a wide range of developmental and emotional needs. Research hasfound benefits in social skills, communication, self-esteem, problem-solving, emotionalregulation, and overall socio-emotional functioning. Some of the most common benefits include:
● Better emotional expression.
● Improved coping skills.
● Stronger self-esteem and confidence.
● Better communication and social skills.
● Greater ability to manage anxiety, anger, or sadness.
● Improved problem-solving and decision-making.
● Healthier relationships with caregivers and peers.
For many children, the biggest benefit is feeling safer and more understood. That sense of safety can make it easier to work through difficult feelings and develop new ways of responding to stress.
What a Session May Look Like
A play therapy session takes place with a licensed clinician who has specific training in play-based interventions. The child may use dolls, figures, art supplies, games, sand tray materials, or other developmentally appropriate tools while the therapist responds in ways that support emotional growth and skill-building. In the play therapy world, we often work to communicate “I hear you, I see you and you can show me more.”
Some sessions are child-only, while others include caregiver participation or feedback. The treatment plan may also involve parent guidance so caregivers can support progress at home. In other situations, the caregiver may almost always be involved – for example, working on secure attachment for a child who is adopted.
What Parents Should Know
Yes, we’re having fun. But, we’re also working toward the set treatment plan goals and objectives. Trust the process!
Play therapy is most effective when caregivers trust the process and allow the child to express themselves in their own way. It is usually best not to pressure a child to explain what happened in session or to “perform” progress on command.
Instead, parents can support treatment by keeping routines consistent, reinforcing safety at home, and staying in communication with the therapist as recommended. Over time, many families notice improvements not only in the child’s behavior, but also in the child’s confidence and ability to manage emotions.
Next Steps?
If you think your child may benefit from play therapy, we invite you to reach out for a consultation. We offer play therapy in Richmond and the surrounding areas, both virtually and in-person. During the consultation, we can learn more about your concerns, answer your questions, and help determine whether our services are the right fit for your family. Taking the first step can feel overwhelming, and our goal is to provide compassionate, non judgmental support along the way.
Contact us today!