what is play therapy?
When children struggle with big feelings, upsetting experiences, or challenges they can’t put into words, play becomes their natural language. Play therapy gives children a safe space to express themselves and work through difficulties — all through the power of therapeutic play.
How Did Play Therapy Start?
In 1947, Virginia Axline founded play therapy by building on the work of Carl Rogers. She developed a child-led approach where play was used to help children explore and heal at their own pace.
Today, Play Therapy UK (PTUK) and Play Therapy International (PTI) use an Integrative Holistic Model, which brings together the best of different therapeutic approaches while always remaining nurturing and child-centred.
Why Play Therapy Works
Children often can’t say “I feel anxious,” “I’m lonely,” or “I don’t know how to cope.” Through play with toys, art, sand, or stories, they can safely explore their feelings and experiences from a comfortable distance.
Research shows:
76% of children improve when play therapy is delivered to PTUK standards.
Play therapy helps strengthen the brain’s neural pathways for emotional regulation and resilience (Perry, 2006).
Safe, attuned play therapy relationships help calm the nervous system, supporting children who have experienced stress or trauma (Porges, 2011).
It also supports children with attachment or social difficulties by providing a safe, consistent relationship where trust can grow.
Who Play Therapy Can Help
Play therapy supports children who are experiencing challenges such as:
Anxiety or low mood
Grief and loss
Family changes (separation, illness, moving home)
Trauma
Difficulties with friendships or social skills
Low self-esteem or confidence
ADHD, Autism etc
Struggles with friendships
It is not just for children with “behaviour problems” it is for any child who needs help to understand and manage their feelings, relationships, or experiences.
Choosing the Right Play Therapist
If you are looking for a play therapist, it’s important to make sure they are appropriately trained and registered. A qualified play therapist should have at least a postgraduate qualification in play therapy and be listed on an accredited register.
You can find the PTUK Register of Play Therapists here.
For Parents
Play therapy doesn’t just reduce difficulties, it helps children build stronger emotional foundations for the future. It supports their ability to manage feelings, develop friendships, and grow in confidence.
To find out more about play therapy at WayMaker, click here.
Further Reading on Play Therapy
Axline, V. (1947). Play Therapy. Ballantine Books.
Axline, V. (1964). Dibs: In Search of Self. Houghton Mifflin.
Bowlby, J. (1969). Attachment and Loss. Basic Books.
Ainsworth, M. D. (1978). Patterns of Attachment. Lawrence Erlbaum.
Perry, B. D. (2006). The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog. Basic Books.
Porges, S. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation. Norton.
Ray, D. C., Armstrong, S. A., Balkin, R. S., & Jayne, K. M. (2015). Child-centered play therapy research: The evidence base for effective practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 46(6), 437–444.
Play Therapy UK (2023). Clinical Evidence Base.