Play Therapy for Children: Emotional Healing Through Play

That’s what many parents think — until they witness the transformation that play can bring in their child’s emotional world.

Take Aarohi, a 6-year-old girl, for example. After her parents separated, she began withdrawing from others, throwing tantrums, and showing signs of emotional distress. Her teachers noticed her zoning out during class and struggling to engage socially. Unsure of what to do, her mother brought her to Urjasvini Child Development Centre, where she was introduced to play therapy for children — a powerful form of child-centred therapy designed to support emotional regulation and healing.

In her first session, Aarohi gravitated toward family dolls and figurines. Through storytelling, role-play, and art, she began expressing what words couldn’t describe. Within a few weeks, her confidence, communication, and emotional balance significantly improved.

Her story is not unique — and it’s a powerful reminder that emotional healing through play is more than just fun; it’s therapy that works.

What Is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a structured, evidence-based form of psychological counseling specifically developed for children. It uses the natural medium of play — toys, art, games, and storytelling — to help kids express their thoughts and emotions in a safe and developmentally appropriate environment.

This approach is ideal for children between the ages of 3 to 12, especially those who may not yet have the language skills to describe their feelings in words.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, child-centred therapy gives the child full control of the session. The therapist creates a non-judgmental, supportive space and interprets emotional themes through the child’s play choices and behavior.

Why Play Therapy Works

Children don’t always say how they feel — they show it through behaviour and play. Play therapy gives them the tools to “speak” in their natural language.

According to research from the Association for Play Therapy, children in structured play therapy show measurable improvements in emotional regulation, problem-solving skills, and behavior.

Here’s how it works neurologically:

• Symbolic play activates the brain’s limbic system, the center for emotional processing.
  
• As children act out scenarios or express inner thoughts with toys, they begin to make sense of their feelings and experiences — a process Dr. Daniel Siegel calls “integrating the internal world.”
  

In short, emotional healing through play allows the brain and heart to connect safely.

 When to Consider Play Therapy

Many parents wonder: “Is play therapy really necessary?”
Here are some signs your child may benefit from play therapy in Indore:

• Sudden mood or behavioural changes (aggression, withdrawal)
  
• Excessive clinginess, fear, or anxiety
  
• Trouble adjusting to family changes (separation, loss, new sibling)
  
• Nightmares, sleep issues, or excessive worry
  
• Difficulty making friends or frequent social conflicts
  
• Refusal to attend school or separation anxiety
  
• Delayed emotional milestones or tantrums beyond the expected age
  

These signs may indicate unresolved emotions, trauma, or anxiety — and child behaviour therapy through play can be a gentle, effective way to address them.

 What Happens During a Play Therapy Session?

At Urjasvini Child Development Centre, our sessions are structured yet flexible. They are always child-led and therapist-guided, meaning the child chooses how to engage, while the therapist observes, interacts, and supports emotional exploration.

Here’s what we typically use in sessions:

• Miniature Dolls & Family Figurines
  To explore relationships, fears, and inner conflict
  
• Art & Drawing Materials
  To give form to emotions that are hard to verbalise
  
• Sand Tray Therapy
  To help children externalise inner experiences symbolically
  
• Storytelling & Puppets
  To bring hidden fears or fantasies into the open
  
• Therapeutic Games
  To improve attention span, frustration tolerance, impulse control, and cooperation
  

Each session is carefully observed, with emotional themes and behavioural shifts documented to monitor progress.

Role of Parents in the Therapy Process

While play therapy primarily happens one-on-one between the therapist and the child, parental involvement plays a crucial role. At Urjasvini:

• Parents receive regular feedback on their child’s emotional progress
  
• We offer parent coaching sessions to teach emotional regulation strategies at home
  
• In some cases, filial play therapy (where parents participate in sessions) may also be recommended
  

The goal is to create consistency in how the child is supported across home, school, and therapy environments.

How Play Therapy Supports Growth

The benefits of play therapy for children go beyond emotional expression. Here’s how it contributes to healthy development:

• Builds emotional vocabulary
  (Children learn to label and express feelings appropriately)
  
• Enhances self-awareness and empathy
  (Understanding one’s emotions and recognizing others’)
  
• Improves coping skills
  (Learning how to manage frustration, sadness, or anger)
  
• Encourages secure attachment
  (Especially helpful for children affected by trauma or disrupted relationships)
  
• Supports emotional healing through play
  (By reprocessing difficult experiences in a safe, imaginative way)
  

Seeking Play Therapy in Indore?

If you’re noticing persistent emotional or behavioural changes in your child and wondering what might help, play therapy in Indore may be the answer. At Urjasvini Child Development Centre, we specialise in child behaviour therapy, using evidence-based techniques tailored to each child’s needs and pace.

Every child deserves a safe space to heal, grow, and thrive — and sometimes, that space is filled with toys, stories, sand trays, and the freedom to just play.

Ready to Begin?

If you’re looking for a trusted early intervention or play therapy center in Indore, reach out to:

Urjasvini Child Development Centre
📞 7999215093 | 9893371516
Let us help your child express, heal, and flourish — one play session at a time.