Play Therapy Therapists in Calgary, AB

What is play therapy?

Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy for children that uses play as the primary mode of therapeutic communication. For children (typically ages 3–12), play is the natural language of expression — the way they process experience, communicate feelings, and make sense of their world. Play therapists create a safe, accepting therapeutic environment in which children can express through play what they cannot yet articulate in words. The relationship between therapist and child, mediated by play, is the vehicle of change.

What issues does play therapy address?

Play therapy addresses trauma and abuse, anxiety and fears, grief and bereavement, behavioural problems (aggression, opposition, withdrawal), ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, family transitions (parental divorce, new sibling, relocation), medical illness, selective mutism, and difficulties at school. It is particularly suited to children who have experienced trauma that they cannot or will not talk about directly, and to preschool and early school-age children for whom verbal therapy is developmentally inappropriate.

What is the difference between directive and non-directive play therapy?

Non-directive (or child-centred) play therapy, developed by Virginia Axline, follows the child's lead entirely — the therapist creates a warm, accepting space and tracks what the child does without directing or shaping the play. Directive play therapy involves the therapist selecting and structuring play activities toward specific therapeutic goals — using specific toys, narratives, or activities to address particular concerns (trauma processing, learning social skills). Many play therapists use both approaches depending on the child and clinical need.

Is play therapy evidence-based?

Yes — meta-analyses of play therapy consistently show moderate to large effects for a range of problems across diverse child populations. Play therapy is particularly well-supported for internalizing problems (anxiety, depression, withdrawal) and trauma. Filial therapy — in which parents are trained to conduct play sessions with their own children under therapist supervision — has strong evidence and extends the therapeutic benefit between sessions. Child-centred play therapy, Theraplay, and trauma-focused directive approaches all have supporting research.

What should parents expect during play therapy?

Parents typically do not sit in on play sessions — the therapist and child meet alone. The therapist provides regular updates to parents about themes and progress (without necessarily disclosing the specific contents of sessions). Parent involvement in the overall treatment plan is essential: the play therapist will want to understand the child's background, discuss what parents observe at home, and provide guidance on how to support the child. Parenting sessions alongside the child's play sessions are common and improve outcomes.