What should I expect?

Maybe you are curious as to what play therapy will look like, or what will happen?

Things you might want to know…

  • A play therapist is a bit like a ‘feelings coach’. You may be experiencing some big feelings. When we play together, I will help you to understand these feelings and what to do with them.

  • On our first visit I will bring all my toys. There are all sorts of toys that you can use to explore and play with. During in our sessions, you get to decide what it is you want to play with or talk about?

  • You might feel more comfortable having a safe adult with you the first few times we meet. Once you are feeling safe with me play therapy becomes a special time just for you and me.

  • There are only three things to remember at play therapy.

    1. We keep you safe.

    2. We keep me safe.

    3. We keep the toys safe.

  • I will sometimes talk to your parents about how things are going. This is so they can also help you with any big feelings. I won't tell them what it is you have been playing, unless you say you would like that to happen.  

    If we think that you or someone else is being hurt, we will need to let your parents, and sometimes other grown-ups know.

A woman and a girl are sitting on a white mat in a playroom. The facing each other playing a game with balancing blocks, there are other toys scattered around the room.
A red first aid kit with toy medical supplies including a pair of scissors, thermometer, syringe and bandages. In the background, a wicker basket filled with stuffed animals.
Child dressed in a colorful outfit including butterfly wings and a superhero cape, wearing fun glasses and bunny ears headband. They are enjoying their time in the playroom. There are a variety of toys scattered around them on the floor.
A wooden toy dollhouse with figures and accessories inside and around it on a carpeted floor. There is also a gray couch and blue polka-dotted basket in the background.
A play therapist and a young girl playing with miniature wooden furniture and toys next to a wooden dolls house on a carpeted floor. The play therapist looks on actively listening to the child who is engaged in and leading the play ideas.
A ring toss game and two balance boards that, one that can be used for rocking and the other that can be used for spinning during a child's play therapy sessions.
Three plush puppets, a bear, a frog and a doll that children can use to explore their emotions through in play.

Example of a play therapy session.

Sometimes you feel more comfortable when you can see what might be coming up. I don’t have a special room like this. Instead, I will bring all my toys in a big bag to your house and will set them up where you have some space.

This video shows you a girl doing a play therapy session. You might want to watch some of it so you can see how we might play together when we meet.