By Dunnavin McMunigal

What Does a Session Look Like?

A typical play therapy session is fifty minutes, just like it would be with any adult. Also similar to therapists who work with adults, no one Play Therapist is the same as another Play Therapist! Play Therapy has a wide range of applications depending on the theoretical foundation of the practitioner. Sessions can be either “directive” or “non-directive”, sometimes (a lot of the time), a combination of both can be used.

• A directive session is one in which the therapist asks the client to engage with an activity that can be focused on any number of things, whatever feels necessary for the client and their presenting problem. An example of a directive activity that I enjoy doing with my clients is a game called “Mad Dragons”. Mad Dragons is essentially Uno, but cards have questions on them related to the expression, processing, regulation, etc. of anger. This allows the exploration of a difficult emotion within the session while also turning it into a fun and engaging game for the client. Other examples can be art based activities, role playing activities,story telling, and numerous other games. Almost any game can be turned into a fun, engaging, and therapeutic activity with enough creativity!

• A non-directive session is different in a significant way, in these sessions a client is allowed total control over their time in the playroom and decides what they want to do. Non- directive is also typically referred to as “Child-Centered Play Therapy”. The therapist in these sessions allows the client to come into the room and explore what it is they want to play with. The therapist also will be as involved or uninvolved as the client wants them to be, if the client invites them into play they will play, and if not, they will allow the client to play in their own way. The client has near total control over their time in session. During these sessions, the therapist follows the clients lead, showing undivided attention and support throughout the session.

A common practice is to incorporate both non-directive and directive therapy. A session can involve the therapist engaging the child in an activity for some time, say 20 minutes, and then allowing the rest of the session to be non-directive and give the client control over the play.

What Can a Parent Expect?

With Play Therapy, the therapist is working with a minor and therefore also working with their parents. Parents should be able to expect that their therapist will be open and communicative with them over their concerns. It is however important that the child feels they have a safe space to talk.

Same as adult therapy, we want what we talk about to be confidential, and we ask that parents allow the child that same grace.

This is not to say that the therapist will not tell the parents anything, far from it. The therapist will communicate themes and what they are noticing in the room. I personally ask parents to trust that I will come to them with anything that they need to know and I am not in the business of hiding important information about their child from them. It is appropriate to meet with parents from time to time to check in with each other and remain in contact about progress.

Does it Work?

Simply put, Play Therapy has shown to work in numerous studies done over the past few decades. In a meta-analysis done in 2021 by Koukourikos et al. (a research paper focused on the study of past research and make conclusions based on that body of research), it was found that Play Therapy has been shown to be effective in difficult transitions, emotional regulation, emotional intelligence, socialization skills, children who have witnessed abuse, children with developmental disorders, the list goes on.

Play therapy works!

Wrap Up…

Play Therapy can take on many different faces, but the main component is the emphasis on providing an engaging, consistent, and safe space for the client to come to and have fun playing. While progress can be slow and come in waves, research shows its effectiveness in helping children with their emotional skills and regulation abilities.