Many parents are curious about play therapy. We’ve all watched our children play before, and it doesn’t seem like there is anything particularly revolutionary about it. However, if you look closer at how the child is interacting with their peers, what the themes of their play are, and how they use creativity and imagination, you can see how much more they can express during play rather than just sitting and talking. Through games, toys, art, and storytelling, the child and adolescent therapists at Summer Counseling help children explore their inner world, learn problem-solving skills, and strengthen emotional regulation in a way that feels safe and engaging. Our office in Oakdale, Minnesota, welcomes you!

Here's What Parents Should Know About Play Therapy

Play therapy has been around since the 1940s, and much research has been conducted on its effectiveness. Children who participate in play therapy develop better social and communication skills, emotional regulation, and confidence as well as heal from traumatic experiences. For example, it’s much easier to have a doll or puppet feel sad, angry, or scared than it is to talk about those feelings directly. But how can play therapy help you?

At Summer Counseling, we often use play therapy to address behavioral issues such as aggression, defiance, or difficulty following rules, as well as emotional challenges like anxiety, depression, and trauma. It can also support children experiencing grief, parental divorce, bullying, or challenges related to neurodivergence (like ADHD or autism). If your family is facing any of these challenges, it may be a good idea to give play therapy a try.

The Types of Play Therapy

The types of play therapy you might see used at Summer Counseling are below:

Non-Directive Play Therapy

This describes when the child chooses what they do in the therapy room without direction from the therapist. The therapist asks questions, notes and labels emotions, and comments on the child’s choices and interactions. This allows the child to express him or herself in the easiest way they know how—through play. The therapist sets the rules regarding safety, but the child controls what happens in the session. This is often used at the beginning of the therapeutic relationship to help develop trust, in instances of trauma, or when a child has difficulty expressing or talking about feelings.

Directive Play Therapy

This occurs when the therapist makes suggestions for options in play therapy. The most common are suggestions surrounding family, friends, school, and life events. That discussion can happen in several different ways: with dolls, animals, houses, sand box, and other toys, with puppets, via art, during a game, or verbally.

Experiential Therapy

This form of therapy often includes social stories (via books, worksheets, and sometimes videos) and role-play activities. Children may have social skills training sessions, depending on their needs. These can include time with siblings to help with problem-solving and conflict resolution, learning to be a good sport and take turns, learning self-regulation and how to follow directions better, or learning how to make and develop friendships.

Narrative Therapy

This is the process of telling your story through words and pictures. Children and teens who have experienced trauma may be asked to create a (confidential) book to help them process their trauma and healing journey.

Brighter Days Await You

Play therapy offers a safe, engaging way to work through difficult emotions and behavioral challenges without relying on words. If you’re ready to give it a try, turn to the team at Summer Counseling in Oakdale. We’re here to support your child’s emotional well-being through thoughtful, personalized care. Schedule a consultation today!