If your child is struggling with big emotions, behavioral challenges, or a difficult life transition, you may have heard that play therapy could help. But what does a play therapy session actually look like? And how do you know if it is the right fit for your family?
At The Center for Child Development, our licensed therapists have used play therapy to help hundreds of Delaware children process their feelings, build coping skills, and develop healthier ways of relating to the world around them. In this guide, we walk you through everything parents need to know — from the first phone call to the final session.
What Is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is an evidence-based approach to counseling in which trained mental health therapists use the therapeutic power of play to help children communicate, express feelings, and resolve psychosocial difficulties. The Association for Play Therapy defines it as "the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development."
Unlike traditional talk therapy — which relies on verbal processing that can be difficult for young children — play therapy meets kids where they are developmentally. Toys become their words, and play becomes their language. Through carefully selected activities like sand tray work, puppet play, art, and storytelling, children are able to express what they cannot yet put into words.
Who Is Play Therapy For?
Play therapy is especially effective for children between the ages of 3 and 12, though adapted techniques can also benefit teens and even adults. Meta-analytic reviews of over 100 outcome studies have found that play therapy produces moderate to high positive effects, and it is equally effective across age, gender, and presenting concern.
At our Newark office and in schools across Delaware, we commonly use play therapy to support children experiencing:
- Anxiety and excessive worry
- Trauma, abuse, or domestic violence
- Depression and persistent sadness
- ADHD and attention difficulties
- Grief and loss
- Divorce or family changes
- Social skill challenges and peer difficulties
- Behavioral problems at home or at school
If you are unsure whether play therapy is the right fit, our free online assessment quiz can help you identify what kind of support your child may need.
What Happens Before the First Session?
Every play therapy journey at CCD begins with an intake interview. During this initial meeting, your child's therapist will ask about their early development, current functioning, and the specific concerns that brought you in. This is your opportunity to share everything — the more open and honest you can be, the better your therapist can tailor the treatment plan.
Most of our therapists will also meet briefly with your child during the intake to get a sense of their perspective and to help them feel engaged in the process from the very beginning. Depending on the situation, the therapist may also conduct a pre-treatment assessment, which could include questionnaires, drawings, or observation of your child at play.
The Seven Stages of Play Therapy
Play therapy typically progresses through several distinct phases. Understanding these stages can help you feel more confident about the process and better prepared to support your child along the way.
1. Intake and Assessment
The therapist gathers information about your child's history, strengths, and challenges. You will collaborate on treatment goals together.
2. Introduction
During the first few sessions, your child gets comfortable with the therapist, the playroom, and the therapy process. Shy or anxious children may need extra encouragement during this phase — and that is completely normal.
3. Tentative Acceptance
Your child begins to look forward to sessions and eagerly engages with the therapist. For parents, this is often one of the easiest phases.
4. Negative Reaction
As therapy begins to work, your child may temporarily resist change. Some children's symptoms actually get a little worse before they get better — this is a normal part of the process and a sign that meaningful work is happening beneath the surface.
5. Growing
This is the longest and most important phase. Your child develops a deeper understanding of their difficulties and begins building healthier coping strategies. There may be occasional setbacks, but the overall trajectory is forward.
6. Stabilization
Gains become more consistent. Your child demonstrates improved emotional regulation, better social skills, and more adaptive behaviors both at home and at school.
7. Termination
When your child's progress is stable enough that everyone — you, your child, and the therapist — feels confident the gains will hold, it is time to celebrate and plan for ending sessions. Some children find this bittersweet, which is perfectly natural.
What Does a Typical Session Look Like?
Play therapy sessions at CCD typically last 45 to 50 minutes and are held weekly. The playroom is stocked with carefully chosen materials — sand trays, miniature figures, art supplies, puppets, dollhouses, building blocks, and games — each selected for its therapeutic value.
In a child-centered approach, the therapist follows the child's lead. Your child chooses what to play with and how, while the therapist observes, reflects feelings, and gently guides the process. In more directive approaches, the therapist may introduce specific activities or games designed to address particular skills or concerns.
Common techniques our therapists use include:
- Sand tray therapy — Children create miniature worlds in a tray of sand using figurines, allowing them to externalize and process complex feelings
- Art and creative expression — Drawing, painting, and sculpting give children nonverbal outlets for emotions
- Puppet and doll play — Children act out scenarios and practice new responses through characters
- Therapeutic storytelling — Stories help children explore themes of fear, courage, loss, and resilience
- Role play and dramatic play — Children rehearse real-life situations in a safe environment
Your Role as a Parent
Parents are essential partners in the play therapy process. While you will not typically be in the room during your child's session, your therapist will check in with you regularly to share observations, discuss progress, and offer guidance for supporting your child between sessions.
Research consistently shows that treatment outcomes are strongest when parents are actively involved. Here is how you can help:
- Provide encouragement, especially during the early and more challenging phases
- Share any changes you notice at home or school — both positive and concerning
- Follow through on any strategies or activities the therapist recommends
- Be patient with the process; meaningful change takes time
Depending on your child's needs, the therapist may also invite you to participate directly in one or more sessions. Family involvement can be a powerful way to strengthen the parent-child relationship and reinforce the skills your child is learning.
How Long Does Play Therapy Take?
The duration of play therapy varies based on the child's needs and the complexity of the presenting concerns. Some children show meaningful improvement in as few as 8 to 12 sessions, while others benefit from 20 or more sessions over several months. Your therapist will regularly reassess progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
It is important to remember that therapy is not a linear process. There will be weeks of noticeable progress and weeks where things feel stuck. Both are normal parts of healing.
Why Choose CCD for Play Therapy in Delaware?
The Center for Child Development is Delaware's largest school-based mental health provider, with over 20 years of experience supporting children and families across the state. Our team of licensed therapists brings specialized training in play therapy, trauma-informed care, EMDR, and a range of evidence-based approaches tailored to each child's unique needs.
What sets us apart:
- Experienced, specialized team — Our clinicians hold credentials including LCSW, LPCMH, and specialized play therapy training
- Multiple locations — We offer services in our Newark office, and in schools throughout Delaware
- Family-centered approach — We involve parents as active partners in every stage of treatment
- Comprehensive care — From play therapy to teen counseling, medication management, and family wellness services, we provide a full continuum of support
Getting Started
If you think your child could benefit from play therapy, we would love to hear from you. You can reach out through our contact page or call us directly at (302) 292-1334 to schedule an intake appointment. Our team will match your child with a therapist whose expertise and approach are the best fit for your family's needs.
Not sure where to start? Take our free online assessment to get a personalized recommendation, or explore our play therapy specialty page to learn more about our approach.
Every child deserves to feel safe, understood, and empowered. At CCD, we help them get there — one play session at a time.