What is Play Therapy?

By Dunnavin McMunigal

To put it simply, Play Therapy is working with children, usually in the age range of 3-12, using play to explore therapeutic concepts rather than talk. For adults and teenagers, we have language to explore our feelings and our experiences in a meaningful way, this is not the case for young children. Children can lack the emotional vocabulary and the capacity for a fifty minute session where they are forced to talk to an adult with no other engaging stimulation, so we use play as in intermediary to the therapeutic work. Common play can include cards, board games, physical activity like catch or basketball, sword fighting, hitting a punching bag, hide and seek, blowing bubbles, making art, the list goes on and on, it is in the name, we play!

What Does a Session Look Like?

A typical play therapy session is fifty minutes, just like it would be with any adult. Also similar to therapists who work with adults, no one Play Therapist is the same as another Play Therapist! Play Therapy has a wide range of applications depending on the theoretical foundation of the practitioner. Sessions can be either “directive” or “non-directive”, sometimes (a lot of the time), a combination of both can be used.

• A directive session is one in which the therapist asks the client to engage with an activity that can be focused on any number of things, whatever feels necessary for the client and their presenting problem. An example of a directive activity that I enjoy doing with my clients is a game called “Mad Dragons”. Mad Dragons is essentially Uno, but cards have questions on them related to the expression, processing, regulation, etc. of anger. This allows the exploration of a difficult emotion within the session while also turning it into a fun and engaging game for the client. Other examples can be art based activities, role playing activities,story telling, and numerous other games. Almost any game can be turned into a fun, engaging, and therapeutic activity with enough creativity!

• A non-directive session is different in a significant way, in these sessions a client is allowed total control over their time in the playroom and decides what they want to do. Non- directive is also typically referred to as “Child-Centered Play Therapy”. The therapist in these sessions allows the client to come into the room and explore what it is they want to play with. The therapist also will be as involved or uninvolved as the client wants them to be, if the client invites them into play they will play, and if not, they will allow the client to play in their own way. The client has near total control over their time in session. During these sessions, the therapist follows the clients lead, showing undivided attention and support throughout the session.

In Child-Centered Play Therapy, a main focus is for the therapist to provide a safe, and consistent environment for the client. The therapist remains the same from week to week and is not there to punish or shame or judge, simply support. The client can feel safe, comfortable, and supported, knowing that the therapist will be the same as they were every other time. As with all therapy, what is most important with Child-Centered Play therapy is the relationship and trust between the client and the therapist.

A common practice is to incorporate both non-directive and directive therapy. A session can involve the therapist engaging the child in an activity for some time, say 20 minutes, and then allowing the rest of the session to be non-directive and give the client control over the play.

What Can a Parent Expect?

With Play Therapy, the therapist is working with a minor and therefore also working with their parents. Parents should be able to expect that their therapist will be open and communicative with them over their concerns. It is however important that the child feels they have a safe space to talk.

Same as adult therapy, we want what we talk about to be confidential, and we ask that parents allow the child that same grace.

This is not to say that the therapist will not tell the parents anything, far from it. The therapist will communicate themes and what they are noticing in the room. I personally ask parents to trust that I will come to them with anything that they need to know and I am not in the business of hiding important information about their child from them. It is appropriate to meet with parents from time to time to check in with each other and remain in contact about progress.

Does it Work?

Simply put, Play Therapy has shown to work in numerous studies done over the past few decades. In a meta-analysis done in 2021 by Koukourikos et al. (a research paper focused on the study of past research and make conclusions based on that body of research), it was found that Play Therapy has been shown to be effective in difficult transitions, emotional regulation, emotional intelligence, socialization skills, children who have witnessed abuse, children with developmental disorders, the list goes on.

Play therapy works!

It is important to note that Play Therapy is typically a longer process than what one would see with adults. Play Therapy can require repetition and the building of the relationship can take longer than with adults, a central component of all therapy. This can be a frustrating fact for many parents, but again, research has shown time and time again that Play Therapy is in fact effective.

Wrap Up…

Play Therapy can take on many different faces, but the main component is the emphasis on providing an engaging, consistent, and safe space for the client to come to and have fun playing. While progress can be slow and come in waves, research shows its effectiveness in helping children with their emotional skills and regulation abilities.

Who am I?

My name is Dunnavin McMunigal, I work at Movement Counseling and Wellness as a therapist. I mainly work with children, teens, and young adults. I am a fairly new therapist having graduated during the summer of 2023, but I believe that I bring passion and a desire to learn each day to constantly be improving. Here at Movement Counseling and Wellness, we have multiple therapists who work with children and teenagers. I personally operate from a Child-Centered perspective while also bringing in directive activities that feel appropriate for the client and their concerns. I love my work and try to operate from a fully genuine place. I am supportive and fully myself so that my clients can feel natural and comfortable within the room.