Therapeutic approach
Play TherapyPlay Therapy
Uses play as a developmentally appropriate way for children to express feelings and build coping skills.
Key information you should know
- Uses play as a natural way for children to express feelings and build coping skills.
- Appropriate for behavioural, emotional, developmental, or trauma-related concerns.
- Parents or carers are involved in the process where that supports the child.
Play Therapy uses play as a child's natural language for expressing feelings, exploring relationships, and processing experiences. Toys, games, storytelling, and creative activities create a safe, engaging therapeutic space.
Play-based work can support children with anxiety, behavioural challenges, developmental concerns, family transitions, and trauma-related difficulties. It builds emotional awareness, self-regulation, and problem-solving in age-appropriate ways.
Parents or carers are involved where that supports the child, for example through check-ins or sessions focused on parenting strategies. Our child psychologists tailor play-based and relational techniques to each child's age and needs.
Commonly helps with
Anxiety
Evidence-based support for anxiety, panic, social anxiety, and worry — with experienced psychologists across our clinics and telehealth.
School Refusal
Psychological support for children and adolescents struggling to attend school — and the parents and carers walking alongside them.
Parenting Support
Psychological support for parents — navigating behaviour, big emotions, neurodivergence, and the relentless demands of caregiving.
Emotion Regulation
Therapy for emotional intensity, reactivity, and difficulty calming down — using DBT skills, Schema Therapy, and other evidence-based approaches.
Psychologists who use this approach
1 Succoris clinician draw on Play Therapy in their practice.
Common questions about Play Therapy
What is play therapy?
Play therapy uses play as a child's natural language for expressing feelings, exploring relationships, and processing experiences. Toys, games, storytelling, and creative activities create a safe, engaging therapeutic space. Play-based work can support children with anxiety, behavioural challenges, family transitions, and trauma-related difficulties. It builds emotional awareness, self-regulation, and problem-solving in age-appropriate ways.
How do I know if play therapy is right for my child?
Play therapy may suit children who are too young for talk-based therapy, or who express distress through behaviour rather than words. It is commonly used for anxiety, school difficulties, family changes, and emotional regulation challenges. If your child is struggling and you are unsure what kind of support fits, a child psychologist can assess their needs and recommend the most appropriate approach.
What happens in a play therapy session?
Play therapy sessions are child-led within a safe structure. Your child chooses activities from a range of toys and creative materials while the psychologist observes and interacts therapeutically. Sessions build trust gradually, and the play itself is the work. Parents or carers may be involved through check-ins or separate sessions focused on parenting strategies. Session length and format depend on your child's age and needs.
Can my child access play therapy through Medicare at Succoris?
Yes. No referral is needed to book, though a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan for your child may provide Medicare rebates on individual sessions. Play therapy is offered by child psychologists at several Succoris clinics. Contact us and we can help you find a psychologist experienced in play-based work and explain the funding options for your situation.
What age is play therapy for?
Play therapy is most commonly used with children aged roughly three to twelve, though the upper age range varies. Younger children often communicate best through play, while older children and teenagers may shift toward more talk-based or creative approaches. Your child psychologist will adapt the format to your child's developmental stage. Play-based techniques can also be woven into work with older children where it still feels natural.
Unsure which approach is right for you?
Our team will help you find a psychologist and approach that fits your situation. You can browse clinicians who use Play Therapy, book online, or contact us for a confidential discussion.