Why Play Therapy Works: Helping Children Heal Through Play

Kaitlyn Hammil, MFT-Intern

Play has always been an essential part of childhood! Play is a key learning behavior seen across cultures and even among many animal species. For children, play isn’t just fun; rather, it’s their primary way of learning, experimenting, and making sense of the world.

While adults communicate mainly through talking, children don’t have the maturity, skills, or even the desire to sit still for a long conversation about their feelings. Instead, they express themselves through play activities like singing, dancing, storytelling, building, crafting, and even horseplay (RIP to the china cabinet!)

That’s where play therapy comes in.

How Play Therapy Helps Children Communicate

In play therapy, toys, games, art, and imaginative activities serve as symbols and metaphors for a child’s inner world. Through play, children can:

● Act out emotions they may not have words for

● Share what’s on their hearts in a way that feels innate

● Learn about boundaries and natural consequences in a safe environment

As someone who has spent many hours with young children, I can say from experience that long, sit-down conversations are challenging for them! But when you enter their world of play, you suddenly see their thoughts and emotions come alive in ways talking alone could never capture.

Boundaries, Choices, and Natural Consequences

Play therapy isn’t just about expression…it’s also about learning essential life skills!

For example, a therapist might say: “Sand stays in the tray. If you throw the sand, we’ll be done playing with it for today.”

If a child chooses to throw the sand, losing access to it is the consequence. While this can feel upsetting, it’s also an opportunity for the therapist to help the child cope with frustration, disappointment, or anger safely.

Over time, children begin to understand that respecting rules helps them continue participating in enjoyable activities. They also learn that:

● They have the power to make choices

● Their actions bring consequences

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● Big emotions can be expressed in safe, appropriate ways

These lessons translate beyond the playroom and build problem-solving skills that they can carry into their homes, classrooms, and friendships.

Why It Matters

At its heart, play therapy gives children a safe, supportive space to express themselves, explore boundaries, and practice handling emotions. By meeting children in their natural language of play, therapists help them grow in self-confidence, resilience, and relational skills.

Play isn’t just “kids being kids.” It’s how they learn, heal, and prepare for life's challenges.

Where Can I Get Started?

Call (323) 634-8463 to schedule a consultation with Kaitlyn or our other clinicians. Whether you are facing parenting struggles, recovering from a traumatic event, or just need another safe adult on your child’s side, we are here for you every step of the way!