For more information on therapy and trauma counseling, please call (209) 423-9333
Play Therapy
What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a research-backed, developmentally appropriate approach that helps children express what they may struggle to say in words. While adults often “talk out” their problems, children “play them out.” In play therapy, toys, art materials, sand, and games become the tools children use to communicate feelings, experiences, and needs.
Research has consistently shown that play therapy can improve emotional regulation, reduce anxiety, strengthen relationships, and support overall mental health and resilience. The Association for Play Therapy (APT) notes that play therapy helps children learn to process emotions, develop problem-solving skills, and build confidence—all within a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship.
How Play Therapy Works
In a play therapy session, the therapist creates a warm, accepting space where children can freely explore and express themselves. Through the use of evidence-based approaches such as Child-Centered Play Therapy, Synergetic Play Therapy, AutPlay, FirstPlay, and TraumaPlay, the therapist helps children make sense of their inner world and practice new, healthier ways of responding to life’s challenges.
Depending on the child’s needs, play therapy may focus on:
- Emotional expression: Helping children identify and safely express feelings such as anger, sadness, or worry
- Emotional regulation: Building tools to manage big emotions and develop self-control
- Social connection: Improving communication and problem-solving with peers and family
- Self-esteem and mastery: Encouraging confidence and resilience through success in play
Parents and caregivers are an essential part of the process. Collaboration ensures that the growth children experience in the playroom continues at home, in school, and in their relationships.
At Breathing Through Counseling & Wellness Services, we believe that play is the natural language of children and the foundation of healing. Through play, children gain the understanding, skills, and confidence they need to thrive—one playful moment at a time.
Type of Play Therapy
Our Play Therapy Approaches
At Breathing Through Counseling & Wellness Services, we recognize that every child’s needs and experiences are unique—so their therapy should be too. That’s why we draw from a variety of evidence-based and developmentally appropriate play therapy models to create individualized treatment for each client. Whether a child needs help building emotional regulation, healing from trauma, developing social skills, or strengthening connection and confidence, play provides the pathway for growth and healing.
Below are some of the specialized play therapy approaches we may use in sessions, tailored to meet each child’s specific needs and goals.
Child-Centered Play Therapy
Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is a research-supported approach that allows children to express themselves freely through play—their natural language. In CCPT, the therapist provides a warm, accepting, and supportive environment where children lead the play at their own pace. This process helps them explore emotions, build confidence, and develop problem-solving and self-regulation skills. Rather than focusing on directing or fixing behaviors, the therapist focuses on the relationship—trusting that growth and healing naturally emerge as the child feels seen, heard, and understood.
Synergetic Play Therapy (SPT)
Synergetic Play Therapy (SPT) blends neuroscience, attachment, and mindfulness to help children learn how to understand and regulate their emotions. In SPT, the therapist and child work together in a connected, attuned way—helping the child notice what happens in their body and emotions during play. This awareness supports healing from stress and trauma, builds self-regulation skills, and strengthens the child’s confidence and ability to manage challenges in everyday life.
TraumaPlay
TraumaPlay is an integrative, evidence-informed model designed to help children process and heal from traumatic experiences through play. It provides a structured yet flexible framework that allows the therapist to move between emotional regulation, trauma processing, and the rebuilding of positive self-concept and connection. Using play as the pathway, children can safely tell their stories, regain a sense of control, and discover resilience and strength.
AutPlay Therapy
AutPlay Therapy is a neurodiversity-affirming play therapy approach designed to support children and adolescents with autism, ADHD, and other developmental differences. This model integrates play therapy, behavioral techniques, and mindfulness-based strategies to improve emotional regulation, social skills, and connection. Through structured and playful interventions, children learn to navigate emotions, build flexibility, and strengthen communication, all while honoring their unique ways of experiencing and interacting with the world.
Breathing Through Counseling & Wellness Services
1604 Ford Ave., Suite 3
Modesto, CA 95350
Ph: (209) 423-9333
