"Toys are children's words and play is their language”
— Gary L. Landreth—
What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a unique form of counseling or psychotherapy tailored specifically for children. Unlike conventional talk therapy, which relies on verbal communication, play therapy allows children to express themselves through play—an approach that aligns with their natural mode of expression.
Children often find it difficult to put their feelings into words or make sense of their behaviors. Play therapy creates a safe and supportive environment where they can explore and address these challenges in a way that feels natural to them. Guided by a trained therapist, children use play as a medium to communicate emotions, navigate difficult experiences, and develop essential coping skills.
At Inner Path Play Therapy, we provide a holistic, child-centered approach that is tailored to meet your child’s unique needs.
Individual Play Therapy
Individual play therapy provides a one-on-one therapeutic setting where a child can explore their feelings, thoughts, and experiences through play. In this confidential environment, the therapist uses a variety of toys, creative materials, and games that allow the child to express themselves naturally.
Through their interactions, the therapist gains insights into the child’s emotional world and helps them work through challenges.This personalised approach ensures that the therapy is tailored specifically to the child’s unique needs, promoting emotional healing and personal growth.
Group Play Therapy
Group play therapy brings together a small group of 4-6 children of similar age who share similar experiences or diagnoses.
In this structured yet adaptable therapeutic environment, children engage in play-based activities that promote learning from each other, developing social skills, and practicing communication in a safe and supportive setting. These activities allow children to express their feelings, work through individual challenges, and develop empathy by understanding and responding to the emotions of their peers. Group play therapy fosters a sense of belonging and community, helping children realize that others share similar feelings or challenges, which can be both empowering and healing.
Who is Play Therapy For?
We provide play therapy for children aged 4 to 13 years.
Are you concerned about your child's emotions, social interactions, or behaviors that affect their daily life?
Play therapy could be a helpful solution, as it effectively addresses a wide range of challenges.
Children may also participate in play therapy for specific reasons such as:
Mental Health Concerns
Academic Concerns
Emotional Regulation Difficulties
Traumatic Experiences
Medical Diagnosis
Social Concerns
Family Changes
Self-Esteem/Self-Confidence Concerns
What is the Process?
Before scheduling an initial assessment, parents can book a free 15-minute phone call to discuss concerns and determine if a play therapy referral is the right fit for your family.
Initial Assesment
Every child and family starts with a parent consultation to address their unique challenges and strengths. This session offers parents a chance to openly discuss any concerns or questions they haven’t had the opportunity to address in other settings.
Schedueling Sessions
Individual Play Therapy: If Individual Play Therapy is recommended for your child, a preliminary commitment of 12 sessions will be established. These sessions will be held weekly at a mutually agreed time, with each session lasting 40 minutes. This 12-week commitment is crucial for the child to adjust to the therapy environment, develop a strong bond with the therapist, and move through the therapeutic process at their own pace.
Group Play Therapy: If Group Play Therapy is recommended for your child, a 10-week commitment will be required, with weekly sessions that last 50 minutes. Each group consists of 4-6 children who are within the same age and have the same presenting concern and/or diagnosis. Since group dynamics play a key role in this therapy, it’s important that your child attends each session consistently. The group’s time and day will be pre-determined and discussed during the initial assessment.
Play Therapy Sessions
Individual Play Therapy: Each session takes place in a safe, supportive space where the child can freely explore and play. This approach lets the therapist observe and understand the child's world, addressing any emerging concerns in a natural way.
Group Play Therapy: Each group consists of 4-6 children and meets in a safe, supportive environment where they can freely engage within the therapeutic space while addressing the group’s concern. The play therapist will design each session tailored to the group's focus, encouraging both individual and collective processing. The structure of a group play therapy session includes a check-in, warm-up, main activity, cool-down, and check-out, with each segment incorporating a creative medium.
Parental Review
Families engaging in Individual or group play therapy will be given an individual review meeting with parents to assess progress and discuss observations.
Individual Play Therapy: Review meeting will take place between weeks 8 and10. Adjustments to the the session plans are made if needed. Since each child's response can vary, additional sessions might be recommended at this point.
Group Play Therapy: A review meeting will be scheduled between weeks 7 and 9. During this meeting, it may be recommended that your child transition to individual play therapy. This recommendation could be made if your child would benefit from more personalized attention, needs to explore deeper issues that require one-on-one support, or if it’s believed that individual sessions would better address their specific therapeutic needs.
Post Play Therapy
There’s no formal graduation in play therapy, but every child stays close to our hearts. Our doors are always open, and if additional support is ever needed, we’re here to offer sessions on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis.
It's important to note that children who participate in play therapy often find other therapeutic interventions, like counselling, more accessible in later life. Play therapy builds a comforting foundation, making future therapy feel more familiar and easier to engage with if needed.
What are the benefits of Play Therapy?
Play therapy offers a wide range of benefits, which can vary depending on the child's individual needs and engagement in the process. Below are some of the general benefits children may experience through play therapy:
Behavioral Improvements
Aids in improving behaviors by addressing underlying issues and encouraging positive change.
Stress Reduction
Creates a therapeutic play environment where children can unwind and manage life’s pressures.
Emotional Expression
Children can express and understand their emotions through engaging non-verbal & verbal play.
Trauma Processing
Provides a safe space for children to work through past traumas and empower children in build resilience.
Increased Self-Esteem/Self Confidece
Builds confidence and self-awareness through engaging in Child-Child-centered play activities.
Communication & Social Skill Development
Strengthens family relationships by involving parents or caregivers in therapy through meetings that provide tools to enhance connection at home.
Cognitive Development
Boosts problem-solving abilities and fosters creativity through imaginative play.
Family Connection
Improves social interactions by teaching skills like sharing, empathy, and conflict resolution, while also facilitating the expression of complex feelings and building a trusting relationship with the therapist.