What is Child Centered Play Therapy?

From working with many children across various contexts and backgrounds for many

years as Registered Play Therapists (RPT), our team at Alora Therapy and Wellness believes in the power of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT). While there are many ways,

we may be able to deliver services and connect with your child, evidence, experience, and real-life stories guide us to this method to brighten futures for our families.

What is CCPT?

CCPT is a style of therapy designed for children ages 3 to 10 in which—yes, you guessed

it! —the session is based on play! However, while it may seem like just an hour of fun, especially in high-energy or even “chaotic” sessions, play is a powerful tool with which we can connect with and understand the child on a deeper level. Play is a child’s natural language. While adults are able to verbalize complex concerns, thoughts, and feelings, children do not yet have this ability. Toys, games, and activities are ways children speak to us.

Through play, a child is able to fully express themselves in a safe environment, which

allows them to process inner experiences and feelings. With each session, a child is able to build skills supporting self-regulation, coping, social and relational challenges, behavioral challenges, self-esteem, and caregiver-child relationship stress.

What Does “Child-Centered” Mean?

“Child-centered” in the sense of play therapy means that your child leads the direction of

the session. We are here to be the facilitator, not the director. Through playing along, we offer a space in which the child experiences unconditional positive regard, full acceptance, empathy, and ultimately “being there” for them under any circumstance.

With this, your child can feel fully understood, allowing them to express things in ways we were not otherwise able to see.

As the child sets the pace in every session, we forge a therapeutic journey rather than a race to a finish line. The goal of CCPT is to take small steps each day towards our goals, praising each tiny success. Over time, the child is able to build the skills needed to make long-lasting change.

The Importance of the Therapeutic Relationship

Fostering an environment where the child feels safe and understood is vital in what we

do, as it promotes building the therapeutic relationship. This connection is what allows the child to feel comfortable in letting us see inside, allowing us to work together to make positive change. In situations of trauma, caregiver-child relationship stress, or Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), for example, this relationship allows the child to process events or challenges that they may not normally feel comfortable visiting mentally, physically, or emotionally. We are here for your child in whatever way they need during the session, fostering opportunity for healing.

So is it right for my child?

Each and every child is unique, and so is their therapeutic journey to healing. If your

child is experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, social and/or relational challenges, or behavioral challenges, CCPT can be a pivotal step towards a brighter future. Through play in a safe environment, your child can express what may be hidden from the surface. Ultimately, this experience can be the needed tool for growth and healing.

If you’re considering CCPT for your child, reach out to us. We are here to listen to your story, questions, and concerns and decide how we can best show up for your child’s needs.

Let us speak your child’s language through play.