The Healing Power of Play Across All Ages
Think about what a typical adult therapy session looks like:
A quiet room, a therapist and client sitting across from each other, sharing words for an hour.
Now, imagine a 4-year-old—or even an anxious teen—doing the same thing: sitting still, talking calmly, and articulating their thoughts for 60 minutes.
That’s a stretch for most kids, and honestly, many adults, too.
That’s where play therapy comes in. It’s a creative, effective approach that meets children and adolescents where they are—being playful, using play, art, movement, and imagination as tools for expression and healing.
And while it’s often associated with young kids, play therapy is not just for children. It’s a powerful healing tool for people of all ages.
My experience using Play Therapy
Having worked with children and adolescents for over 25 years, play therapy has always been at the heart of my practice. Early on, I found myself drawn to it—reading books, attending trainings, and soaking up everything I could. I was fascinated by the idea that healing didn’t have to come through words alone.
But it wasn’t until I began using play therapy in sessions that I truly saw its impact.
There’s something deeply moving about watching a child work through big emotions, tell their story, or find solutions—not through conversation, but through playfulness, creativity, and connection.
In this post, I’ll share what play therapy is, how it works, and why it’s such a powerful tool, not just for kids, but for teens and adults as well.
Why Play Works
Play is a natural way for people, especially kids, to process what they’re going through. It creates safety. It lowers defenses. It helps people express thoughts and emotions they might not even have words for.
In therapy, play becomes a kind of language. Through it, we can build trust, explore feelings, and begin healing.
Some benefits of play therapy include:
- Boosting self-esteem
- Managing difficult emotions
- Processing trauma, grief, or change
- Improving social skills
- Supporting emotional regulation and resilience
Play Therapy Across the Lifespan
For Children
Children naturally use play to make sense of the world. Play therapy gives them a safe space to work through anxiety, behavior challenges, trauma, or life transitions—using tools like sand trays, puppets, or drawing.
For Teens
Teens may prefer music, journaling, games, or creative expression over talking. These play-based approaches offer a more comfortable, engaging way to process emotions, build identity, and manage stress.
For Adults
Play therapy for adults? Absolutely. Expressive arts, role-play, and guided imagery can help adults reconnect with creativity, access emotions, and heal from stress or trauma, especially when words fall short.
The Heart of Play Therapy: Safety & Connection
Play isn’t just about having fun. It’s how we build relationships, feel safe, and start to open up.
In play therapy, the real magic is the relationship between the person and the therapist. It’s not about having the “right” words—it’s about being met with trust, understanding, and acceptance.
Once someone feels safe, connection follows. And once there’s connection, healing can begin.
Whether you’re 5, 15, or 55, play offers a powerful path to healing—because sometimes we don’t need to talk first; we just need to feel safe enough to be ourselves.
And often, being playful is what helps make that possible.
