Your Role in Play Therapy: Why Parents Matter
When your child begins play therapy, it is natural to have questions “What happens in that playroom?” or “How can I support my child through this process?” While your child is the one spending time with the play therapist, you play one of the most important roles in their healing journey.
Why Parents Are So Important
Play therapy helps children express big feelings, work through challenges, and build confidence through the natural language of play. But your child only spends a short time in the playroom each week. The real heart of their world is the connection they share with you at home.
As a parent, you notice the things no therapist could see on their own: the bedtime battles, the after-school meltdowns, the sibling squabbles, or even the joyful little victories when your child shows courage. When you share these observations, it helps the therapist understand your child more fully and ensures the therapy connects to real-life situations. In other words, you and the therapist work together as partners. Together, you’re supporting your child’s emotional growth.
Trusting the Process
One of the best gifts you can give your child is to trust the play therapy process. Play therapy doesn’t always look like “traditional” therapy. It’s not about worksheets, charts, or long conversations. Instead, healing happens as your child plays out their inner world at their own pace.
After sessions, it’s natural to want to ask, “What did you do today?” But many children can’t put their experiences into words, and pressing for answers may make them feel pressured. A gentle statement like, “I’m glad you had special play time today” shows your child that you support them and trust their process, without expecting them to explain.
How You Can Support Play Therapy at Home
Your role doesn’t end when your child leaves the playroom. In fact, the way you connect at home makes a big difference. Here are some simple but powerful ways you can support the process:
- Listen to feelings. When your child says, “I’m mad!” or shows frustration, try reflecting back: “You’re really angry right now.” This helps them feel heard and understood.
- Make time for free play. Giving your child space for unstructured play at home allows them to keep processing and expressing themselves in their own way.
- Model calm. When you show how you handle stress such as taking deep breaths, using kind words, or admitting when you’re frustrated, you’re teaching your child that feelings are normal and can be managed in healthy ways.
Working Together With the Therapist
Play therapy works best when parents and therapists collaborate. Parent consultations are scheduled for you to ask questions, share updates, and learn new ways to connect with your child.
These sessions aren’t about pointing out what you’re doing wrong. Instead, they’re designed to help you feel confident and supported as a parent. In some approaches, like Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), parents even learn how to hold special playtimes at home, becoming part of the therapeutic process themselves. Using the consultation sessions is a safe space for you to reflect on your parenting journey as well. Remember, you are an important part of the team.
Growth for the Whole Family
Most parents begin play therapy because they want to see a change in their child, less anxiety, fewer outbursts, and more confidence. What often surprises families is how much they grow alongside their child. Parents discover new ways of listening, connecting, and even healing their own past experiences as they respond differently to their child.
Play therapy, then, isn’t just about helping a child “fix” a problem. It’s about strengthening the bond between parent and child, which benefits the whole family.
Final Thoughts
Your child may be the one playing with toys in the therapist’s office, but you are the steady bridge that carries healing into their everyday life. By trusting the process, supporting emotional growth at home, and staying connected with the therapist, you give your child the foundation they need to thrive.
