Play therapy for children
Where toys speak louder than words.
A Natural Path to Emotional Healing and Growth
Children, just like adults, experience a wide range of thoughts and emotions. However, they often lack the words to express what they’re feeling. This makes it difficult for parents and caregivers to understand what’s truly going on inside. That’s where Play Therapy steps in.
What Is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is a specialized psychological approach that helps children express their thoughts and emotions without needing to ‘talk it out’. Instead, it uses play—their most natural form of communication.
Children naturally gravitate toward toys, puppets, games, and storytelling. In a safe and structured play therapy setting, these tools become gateways to their inner world. Unlike traditional talk therapy, play therapy meets the child at their level—using what they love and relate to most: play.
How Does It Work?
Every object we see around us—trees, animals, cars, buildings, hills—carries a unique meaning for each individual. For instance, one person might view an elephant as a symbol of strength and grace, while another sees it as gentle and wise. Children, too, assign personal meanings to the things they play with. These symbolic choices reflect their inner thoughts, emotions, and experiences.
Everything a child does during play—whether it’s feeding a doll, building a house, drawing with crayons, or engaging with miniatures in a sand tray—carries symbolic meaning. For example:
- A child feeding a doll may be expressing nurturing or the desire to be nurtured.
- A child using toy guns may be processing anger, fear, or aggression.
The play therapist closely observes these themes and behaviours to understand what the child is trying to communicate subconsciously. Over the course of a few sessions, typically by the third session, the therapist will begin sharing these insights with the parents.
Once key themes are identified, the therapist uses targeted activities and interventions to help the child process difficult emotions, overcome internal conflicts, and build healthy emotional responses.
Tools Used in Play Therapy
Sessions may include:
- Toys and puppets
- Art and craft materials
- Board games and storytelling
- Kitchen sets, dollhouses, and doctor sets
- Sand trays with miniatures (animals, people, cartoon characters)
These tools allow the child to express their inner world freely, in a safe and judgment-free zone.
Parental Involvement: A Critical Element
As a parent, your role is invaluable. Since children spend most of their time at home, your observations, feedback, and support help us significantly in understanding the context behind your child’s behaviour. We encourage parents to:
- Provide open and honest insights during intake and follow-up sessions
- Reinforce therapeutic progress at home through positive reinforcement and structured routines
- Remain patient—progress often builds gradually but meaningfully
What to Expect at Mind Brain Solutions
Here’s how we structure Play Therapy:
- Initial Consultation (with Parents)
We begin by understanding the child’s history, challenges, and behaviour patterns through an in-depth discussion with parents. - Rapport-Building with the Child
In the first 2–3 sessions, we focus purely on building trust and comfort with the child using activities and toys they enjoy. - Weekly Therapy Sessions
Most children attend one session per week. However, the frequency can be modified based on urgency and individual need. - Review & Goal Setting
After 3–4 sessions, we offer a structured case synopsis involving Dr. Nadkarni (Child Psychiatrist). This includes:- A working understanding of the child’s emotional state
- Underlying behavioural patterns and triggers
- Therapy goals and estimated duration
- Customized Plan Forward
Based on the goals set, a tailored therapeutic plan is created to support the child’s healing journey. The number of sessions may vary depending on the child’s progress and individual needs.
Final Thoughts
Play Therapy is not just “playing.” It’s a deeply therapeutic process that helps children express, explore, and heal. By working through subconscious symbols and guided play, children can overcome anxiety, anger, trauma, social issues, and more—all in a language they naturally understand.
While this provides a general outline of our process, each child is unique. The structure of therapy may be thoughtfully adapted to suit their individual emotional and developmental needs.
🏠 In-Clinic: ✅ 💻 Online: ✅
Available in both in-clinic and virtual formats, ensuring continuity of care wherever you are.