How Therapy Works at PlayWorks
What to Expect at a Child Therapy Session?
Child therapy sessions are typically about 55 minutes long and take place in person. Most of the session is one-on-one between your child and their therapist, giving them space to build a trusting therapeutic relationship and work toward their individual goals.
During your child's session we ask that you remain on the premises. You can relax in our waiting room, or (if your child is older than 8) you can choose to wait outside in your vehicle. We support whatever feels more comfortable for you!
At times, caregivers might be invited to join the for the last few minutes of the session.
What Happens During a Session?
While every session is tailored to the individual child, a typical appointment may include:
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Goal-Focused Therapeutic Activity: Sessions often begin with a therapeutic activity selected specifically around your child’s treatment goals. Depending on your child’s age, needs, and tolerance, this portion may be shorter or look different from week to week.
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Play, Games, Creativity, or Conversation: During this portion of therapy children are invited to become the "leader". They can choose to engage in the sandbox, create a craft, play with toys, or just talk. Giving children the power to become the leader in the therapy space is an essential part of the therapeutic journey and where most of their growth takes place!
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Wrap-Up: Sessions end with a wind-down activity that allows children to reflect on how they're feeling, what skill they learned, and potentially chat with their caregiver about it.
Our
Therapeutic Approach
At PlayWorks, our team draws from evidence-based, play-centered, and relationship-driven modalities to meet the unique needs of each child, teen, and family. These approaches help us support emotional growth, social skills, and resilience in ways that feel engaging and natural for kids.
Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)
Play is a child’s natural language. In CCPT, children lead the play while the therapist provides a safe, accepting space. This helps them express feelings, build confidence, and develop problem-solving skills at their own pace.
Adlerian Play Therapy
This approach blends play with gentle guidance to help children understand their feelings, relationships, and place in the world. It focuses on encouraging strengths and developing a sense of belonging.
AutPlay
Designed for neurodiverse children, especially those with autism, AutPlay combines play and skill-building activities to improve social skills, emotional regulation, and connection with others.
Video Game Play Therapy
This is a newer approach to therapy, but one that has shown great results for many children and teens. By using age-appropriate video games as a shared activity, therapists can connect with kids in a space where they already feel confident and engaged. Within the game, children practice teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and managing frustration in real time—all while strengthening the therapeutic relationship and building skills they can use in the real world.
Sand Tray Play Therapy
Sand Tray Play Therapy helps children use narrative therapy techniques in a hands-on manner. By manipulating sand and toys in the sand tray, children are able to explore deep concepts in a way that is developmentally appropriate.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps children and teens understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. They learn practical tools to handle challenges, manage emotions, and make positive choices.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT teaches skills for managing strong emotions, improving relationships, and making healthy decisions. It’s especially helpful for teens who feel emotions very intensely.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
ERP helps children and teens gradually face fears and worries in a safe, supportive way, reducing anxiety and the need for avoidance behaviors. Our use of ERP is modern and trauma-informed.
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
This is a structured approach for children and teens who have experienced trauma. It combines coping skills, gradual processing of memories, and support for parents and caregivers.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR uses eye movements or other forms of rhythmic stimulation to help the brain reprocess difficult memories so they feel less overwhelming.
Somatic Therapy
This approach helps children connect with their bodies to release tension and stress, and to feel more calm and in control.
Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT)
In CPRT, parents learn play therapy skills they can use at home to strengthen bonds, improve communication, and address behavioral challenges.
Conscious Discipline
A social-emotional learning and classroom management framework that teaches adults and children strategies for self-regulation, connection, and problem-solving.