Play Therapy: How It Helps Kids Express Their Emotions

LaKeisha Thomas
May 12
5 min read

Children who experience family moves or traumatic events may develop withdrawal behaviors or start acting out. Their parents and caregivers are often confused by their emotional expressions because children usually cannot express their feelings through words. Play therapy is a therapeutic method that uses children's native language of play to help them. Children use play to express emotions while they process their experiences and develop coping skills in a protected and supportive environment.

Children can use play therapy as a structured method to convey their thoughts and feelings by playing instead of speaking. They will find safety in this environment to develop problem-solving abilities while they process their emotions and explore their life experiences naturally (Aguayo, 2025).

Children who participate in therapeutic play develop effective coping strategies, enhance their communication skills, and work through challenging experiences under professional guidance. Play therapy offers children an effective method of unlocking their potential while supporting their meaningful growth (Kuflik, 2024).

In this blog post, we'll explore play therapy, a creative, child-centered approach that is making a meaningful impact in psychotherapy by helping kids express and process their emotions.

What Is Play Therapy and Why Do We Need It

Play therapy functions as a specific psychotherapy approach that uses natural play activities to help children express their emotions and develop coping strategies for their life experiences. Children cannot express their complicated emotions through words, so play functions as their essential method of communication. The therapeutic process uses drawing activities, storytelling, and role-playing to help therapists understand children's emotional states while leading them toward healing.

Therapy sessions take place within a protected area that includes supportive elements and creative materials for children. Children within this environment learn to express their emotions while developing problem-solving abilities and building their self-esteem. Play therapy demonstrates effectiveness in treating various child mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral difficulties.

Children face difficulties expressing emotions because their brain development has not been completed. Children sometimes express their feelings through aggressive behaviour, withdrawal, and reverting to earlier developmental stages. These behaviours stem from emotional distress that exists beneath the surface (Insights Psychology, 2024).

According to Sara's article, children from Swannanoa, North Carolina, received healing and comfort through play therapy after Hurricane Helene struck the area. The therapeutic method allowed children to express their traumatic experiences and emotions through imaginative play while processing their trauma. Play therapy allowed three-year-old Fitz Lytle to express his fear for the first time, which led to significant progress in his healing process (Murphy, 2025).

Play therapy enables children to express their emotions while building resilience, which leads to better mental health and development outcomes.

How Play Therapy Works

The fundamental yet efficient approach of play therapy acknowledges children's better ability to express emotions and process feelings through play activities. Play therapy sessions in a therapeutic environment convert recreational activities into therapeutic pathways that help patients heal. Children feel comfortable expressing themselves in play therapy sessions because therapists create a protective environment that stops all forms of criticism. A designated play area contains specific toys and games along with art materials and storytelling tools, which enable children to explore their emotions.

Children use these creative tools to:

Symbolically express emotions: Instead of speaking directl, children express their feelings indirectly by using toys, drawings, and role-playing scenarios. Children who have faced trauma will use dolls to recreate their distressing experiences so therapists can better understand their emotional needs.
Develop coping mechanisms: Through play-based reenactments of real-life scenarios, children get to test various results while developing solutions to difficulties and acquiring alternative methods for managing obstacles.
Build trust: The therapeutic relationship itself becomes a secure base. Children become more likely to open up and deeply engage in healing when they feel safe and understood.

Play therapy produces numerous therapeutic outcomes that benefit children in various ways.

Emotional Expression and Processing: Play therapy enables children to express their complex emotions, including anxiety, fear, and sadness, within a protected environment. Children use play to share their life events and emotions while acquiring new ways to handle challenges and building strong connections (Gupta et al., 2023).

Behavioral Improvements: Research evidence demonstrates that play therapy produces major reductions in children's aggressive and socially withdrawn behaviors. The therapeutic approach enables children to improve their ability to control themselves and solve problems effectively.
Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: Play therapy enables children to experience various scenarios, which helps them develop creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. The therapeutic approach enables children to build effective problem-solving capabilities.
Improved Social Skills: The therapeutic play experience enables children to develop essential social abilities that help them understand others' viewpoints and develop empathy. These skills are crucial for healthy interpersonal relationships.
Parental Involvement: The therapeutic approach of filial therapy enables parents to join the therapeutic process that strengthens the bond between parents and their children. Parents who participate in therapeutic play develop enhanced communication skills, which leads to better family relationships (Owens & Cherry, 2025).
Support During Trauma Recovery: Play therapy is a crucial tool for children who need support during their recovery from traumatic experiences. Children from Swannanoa, North Carolina, used play therapy after Hurricane Helene to express their experiences, which resulted in major emotional breakthroughs (Murphy, 2025).

Let's Get Started with Play Therapy

Play therapy may be a meaningful and supportive path forward if you believe your child is struggling with emotions, behavior, or life transitions. Here's how you can begin the journey:

Consult a Professional: Your first step should be to find a licensed mental health professional who has received training and experience in play therapy. The professional should hold credentials such as Registered Play Therapist (RPT) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with experience working with children. Some therapists provide a short assessment to help clients decide if play therapy will work for them.
Engage in the Process: The effectiveness of play therapy depends on caregiver participation. Share your willingness to help your child develop outside the session by asking what specific actions or communication methods or emotional support would be most beneficial. The therapist may involve parents in selected sessions or use parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) models to provide guidance.
Be Patient and Consistent: Children who face big emotions or trauma need time to heal properly. The sessions may appear as basic play, but every interaction serves a specific purpose. Trust the process. Your child's emotional awareness and resilience development require patience while you celebrate their small achievements.
Support at Home: Create a supportive home environment to strengthen your child's progress. Practice active listening, respect their emotional boundaries, and consider introducing some therapeutic play at home using drawing, storytelling, or calming games.

Remember: Play therapy allows children to experience being understood and heard without any pressure or expectation. Through this space, you are sowing seeds of confidence, safety, and healing.

References

Aguayo, G. (2025, March 2). The power of play therapy in supporting children's emotional development. Blue Square Counseling & Wellness. https://bluesquarecounseling.com/blog/play-therapy-childrens-emotional-development

Gupta, N., Chaudhary, R., Gupta, M., Ikehara, L.-H., Zubiar, F., & Madabushi, J. S. (2023, June 7). Play therapy as effective options for school-age children with emotional and behavioral problems: A case series. Cureus. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10328142/

Kuflik, E. (2024, December 27). The benefits of play therapy for children. Community Behavioral Health. https://www.cbh.us/blog/benefits-of-play-therapy-for-children

Murphy, S. (2025, April 1). “We are so grateful”: How play therapy can help children after disaster. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/apr/01/play-therapy-chilld-survivors-hurricane-helene

Owens, H., & Cherry, K. (2025, January 7). What is filial therapy?. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/filial-therapy-definition-techniques-and-efficacy-6362485

The role of play therapy in child psychology. Insights Psychology. (2024, December 12). https://insightspsychology.org/child-psychology-play-therapy-benefits/