How Play Therapy Helps Children Regulate Their Emotions?

How Play Therapy Helps Children Like Liam Express and Regulate Emotions

I have always been asked how play therapy works and how it creates change. I found it hard to explain this without being too technical and clinical. I realized I could effectively explain it by providing tangible examples to show why and how play therapy is effective. Therefore, I decided to create a series of blogs retelling the stories of my cases to explain how play therapy works. This will be my first blog, and I will continue to write them as I go.

Before I start, let me make a very important disclaimer: Please note that the names and context of my clients have been significantly altered to protect their privacy. The image is also created by AI.

Let's read how play therapy allowed Liam to express his anger:

Liam, an 8-year-old boy, was referred to play therapy due to recurring outbursts at home and school. During one incident, Liam threw a chair at his teacher when questioned about his incomplete homework. His mother, raising Liam and his younger sibling alone, worried about his behaviour mirroring his incarcerated father's violent past. Over three months of weekly sessions, Liam worked with me in the playroom.

In Liam’s 15th session, he entered the playroom with enthusiasm. He greeted me warmly, acknowledging my usual introduction to the playroom. Liam headed straight to the dress-up area, putting on a Superman costume and declaring he was preparing for a wrestling match. For the next 25 minutes, he engaged intensely, wrestling, throwing, and play-fighting with me. While I engaged in the play, I observed and noted his behaviors, motivations, and emotions expressed through this metaphorical play.

At one point, Liam paused with a frightened expression, claiming the police had arrived and we needed to hide. He retreated to a corner, covering both of us protectively. After declaring victory over the imagined threat, Liam resumed his play. Moments later, he announced the police had returned and had caught him, visibly distressed and breathing heavily. Sensing his agitation, I gently mirrored his feelings, acknowledging his anger and struggle to resist something. Liam began chanting "Resist, resist," while clenching his fists tightly.

As the session progressed, Liam moved to the art corner to create a picture for his mother. This shift marked a calming of his emotions, focusing on a positive outlet. When it was time to leave, he showed a noticeable sense of accomplishment and relief.

This shows how play therapy uses play as a self-expression tool in a safe and permissive environment for a child like Liam, who has difficulty with intense emotions. During play therapy, Liam could freely express his anger and fears without fear of rejection or penalties, allowing him to gradually regulate his emotions and behaviors.