Not Just an Expensive Game of Uno: The Power of Play in Child Therapy

If your child is building a Lego fortress, painting a giant rainbow, or negotiating who gets to be “king of the castle” while their therapist sits quietly, it’s natural to wonder: “Are they really doing therapy in there—or just having fun?”
The short answer is yes, they are doing therapy. Play is not just fun and games—it’s one of the most effective tools therapists use with children. Those card games, dollhouse reenactments, and imaginary scenarios are carefully chosen with clinical intent. Trained child therapists use play to support:

Expression – children communicate what they can’t put into words
Connection – building trust with the therapist
Learning – practicing coping, problem-solving, and social skills
Healing – processing experiences safely
Curious how it works? Let’s break it down.

Why Play Matters in Therapy

Children don’t think like adults. While adults often talk through feelings, children may lack the words or emotional awareness to do the same. Play is their natural language. It allows them to:
• Communicate internal experiences
• Process confusing events
• Practice problem-solving in a safe, accessible way
Play is far from “just play”—it’s the key to helping your child grow emotionally and socially.

What may look like free play is guided, purposeful intervention. Therapists:
•Observe behavior
•Recognize symbolic content
•Respond to support growth

Even if not formally certified in play therapy, many therapists integrate methods based on developmental psychology, trauma-informed care, and evidence-based frameworks. Activities are tailored to each child’s age, needs, and therapeutic goals.

What Happens During Play-Based Therapy?

A trained therapist uses play to do more than keep a child entertained. Every activity has a purpose: to foster insight, emotional expression, and meaningful growth.

1. Building Trust and Rapport
Shared play creates a non-threatening environment that makes children feel safe.
Example:
A therapist might play Uno or Jenga while observing how the child manages frustration, follows rules, or responds to competition.
Research Insight:
Establishing a therapeutic alliance through play enhances treatment outcomes in child therapy. (Shirk & Karver, 2003)
👉Want to see how this works in real life? Book a free consultation with our team.

2. Exploring Real-Life Experiences Through Symbolism
Play allows children to act out life events indirectly, using dolls, puppets, or art to reflect real situations.
Example:
A child may reenact family conflict with dolls, giving the therapist insight they may not verbalize directly.
Key Takeaway:
Play is a safe way for children to explore feelings and experiences they can’t yet express in words

3. Expressing and Regulating Emotions
Complex emotions like fear, sadness, or anger often appear through play behaviors.
Example:
Tearing up artwork or flipping a board game can indicate intense emotions. Therapists may use tools like a “feelings thermometer” or storytelling to help the child recognize and manage emotions.
Research Insight:
Play-based approaches help children regulate emotions and reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma. (Association for Play Therapy, 2021)

4. Teaching and Practicing New Skills
Through play, children can learn empathy, safety, boundaries, and problem-solving—more effectively than just being told what to do.
Example:
A child playing with animal figurines might explore conflict resolution by imagining how a lion and giraffe share food—a metaphor for school or sibling conflicts. Therapists model coping strategies and social skills directly in play.
👉 Learn more about the therapeutic approaches we offer: Child Therapy Services

5. Supporting Attention and Engagement
Young children may struggle with traditional talk therapy. Play-based therapy meets them at their developmental level with structure, creativity, and engagement.
Example:
Incorporating movement, sensory play, or art helps children express themselves while staying grounded and emotionally present.
Key Benefit:
Keeps children focused and emotionally available, even if attention spans are short.

What Parents and Caregivers Can Expect In Kids’ Therapy

Parent involvement is key. While most work happens between therapist and child, therapists share general observations, collaborate on goals, and offer strategies to reinforce growth at home.
Tip: You may not see dramatic weekly changes, but over time, emotional awareness, behavior, and coping skills often improve.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Are they really doing therapy in there?” — rest assured, the answer is yes. In the hands of a trained therapist, play becomes a vehicle for growth, healing and connection. What looks like a game, drawing, or story is often a window into your child’s world and a path toward helping them thrive.

👉Curious about how play can help your child thrive? Schedule a free consultation today.

By: Tara Saunders, AMFT

Further Reading / Citations:
Landreth, G. L. (2012). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship. Routledge
Association for Play Therapy: www.a4pt.org
Shirk, S. R., & Karver, M. (2003). Prediction of treatment outcome from relationship variables in child and adolescent therapy: A meta-analytic review. Psychotherapy, 40(2), 190–210