Three young children sitting on steps outside, smiling and laughing, with arms around each other.

Child Therapy
(ages 2-10)

Helping kids ages 2-10 express themselves without needing words

Signs Your Child May Benefit from Child Therapy

Every child experiences ups and downs, but some behaviors or emotional struggles can indicate that extra support might be helpful. Consider child therapy if your child:

  • Has trouble expressing feelings or talking about what’s bothering them

  • Shows frequent anxiety, sadness, or anger

  • Exhibits behavioral challenges at home or school

  • Struggles with social skills or forming friendships

  • Has experienced a major life change, trauma, or loss

  • Demonstrates fearfulness, withdrawal, or low self-esteem

  • Has difficulty coping with stress or transitions

  • Has experienced a regression in potty training or bed wetting

  • Struggles with difficult sleep patterns or frequent nightmares

Child therapy provides a safe, supportive space for children to process these challenges, build coping skills, and develop confidence in expressing themselves. If you notice one or more of these signs, it may be a good time to reach out to a therapist for guidance.

A young girl with braided blonde hair, sitting on the floor playing with toys and a dollhouse in a brightly lit room.

Why Child Therapy Works for Children

Unlike traditional talk therapy, which can be effective for adults and teens and tweens, younger children often do not yet have the language skills or developmental perspective to fully express their inner experiences. For this reason, child therapy is often used as the primary approach. Play is a child’s natural way of communicating—it allows them to share thoughts and feelings symbolically, practice problem-solving skills, and build stronger emotional awareness.

In child therapy, children can explore relationships, express complex emotions, and rehearse new coping strategies in a way that feels natural and engaging. To quote Garry Landreth, a pioneer in the study of how children process their feelings, “toys are like the child's words, and play is the child's language." Child therapy provides a safe, fun, and creative way for children to express what’s going on inside, explore their emotions, and learn new ways to cope—all through play. It’s structured and intentional and allows children to:

  • Express feelings they may not have the words for

  • Work through difficult experiences, fears, or trauma

  • Learn healthy ways to cope with stress and anxiety

  • Develop problem-solving and social skills

  • Build self-confidence and emotional resilience

Through play, children can explore their emotions, understand their experiences, and practice new skills in ways that feel natural and engaging for them.

Benefits of Counseling for Children

What happens in a Child Therapy session?

A child is creating a rainbow craft using torn pieces of colored paper arranged on a paper with concentric circles. The child is placing blue paper on a rainbow outline on a wooden table, with other torn paper pieces in various colors nearby. The background includes a window with sunlight shining in.

The role of the child therapist is to provide warmth, safety, and unconditional positive regard. By creating a nurturing environment where children can take risks and express themselves freely, therapy becomes a process of healing and growth. Over time, children gain tools to regulate their emotions, improve communication, and build stronger connections with the people in their lives. Child therapy utilizes many different mediums of play to help a child process their feelings:

  • Toys and Games:

    We use toys and activities to help children express emotions, process stressful situations, and develop social skills in a safe space. 

  • Creative Arts:

    Using art, music, or mood mandalas allows children to visually represent and express their emotions and experiences. 

  • Storytelling:

    Engaging in story-based exercises, writing narratives, or acting out scenes helps children explore emotions and develop critical thinking. 

  • Mindfulness & Breathing:

    We teach techniques like deep breathing and affirmations to help children learn emotional regulation and coping skills. 

  • Games:

    Modified board games or activities like "Emotion Charades" can help children identify and express different emotions. 

  • Direct Conversation:

    We may also talk with children about their feelings and help them find healthy ways to express themselves. 

Every child’s journey is unique, and therapy is tailored to meet each child’s developmental stage, personality, and specific needs. With the right support, children can learn to better understand themselves, develop healthy coping strategies, and feel empowered to face challenges with resilience and confidence.

Support for Parents and Caregivers

Parents and caregivers play an essential role in a child’s therapeutic progress. While individual sessions focus on the child, caregivers are kept informed and supported throughout the process. Regular check-ins may provide insight into the themes emerging in therapy, guidance on how to reinforce new skills at home, and strategies for creating a supportive environment outside of the therapy room.

Therapy is not only about helping children cope with challenges but also about strengthening family connections. When parents feel equipped and supported, children are better able to practice and sustain the progress they make in therapy. This collaborative approach ensures that the skills children learn—whether emotional regulation, problem-solving, or building self-confidence—can take root and flourish in their daily lives.

Our goal is to help children feel heard, understood, and empowered. Through play, they learn to express themselves, manage emotions, and grow stronger—while having fun and feeling safe.

A young boy playing with colorful LEGO bricks on the floor.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

  • Most sessions last between 45 and 60 minutes, but every child is unique. We tailor session lengths to fit your child’s needs, ensuring they have the time and space that will be most helpful and comfortable for them.

  • Yes. Because your child is a minor, we ask that a parent or caregiver be available during sessions. This helps ensure your child’s safety and comfort—for example, in case of an emergency, a quick potty break, or if your child needs a little extra support.

    Occasionally, your therapist may invite you to join the session briefly. This might be to participate in the play, offer encouragement, or debrief with you afterward so you understand what your child is working on. These moments help you stay connected to your child’s progress while allowing them to explore and express themselves independently during most of the session.

  • The length of play therapy is different for every child. Some kids respond quickly to a few sessions, especially if they are working on a specific challenge, while others benefit from ongoing therapy to address deeper emotions, patterns, or experiences.

    Progress in play therapy isn’t always about being “better” overnight—it’s about giving your child the tools, understanding, and confidence to cope with life’s challenges. As your child works through feelings and builds skills, you’ll often notice changes in their behavior, mood, and interactions at home and school.

    Your child’s therapist will regularly review goals and progress with you, adjusting the plan as needed. The focus is always on supporting growth at your child’s pace rather than meeting a set timeline.