Signs Your Child Might Benefit from Play Therapy

By Heather Steele, MS, CPC, LCAS, LCMHC-QS

Something's different with your child, and you can't quite put your finger on it.

Maybe they've been more anxious lately — clinging to you at drop-off, worrying about things that never bothered them before.

Maybe they're angrier, melting down over small frustrations or lashing out at siblings.

Maybe they've gone quiet, pulling away from activities and friends they used to love.

You've tried talking to them. But they shrug, say "I don't know," or change the subject.

Here's the thing: kids don't process emotions the way adults do.

They don't have the vocabulary to explain what's happening inside. But that doesn't mean nothing's happening.

Their behavior is communication.

And sometimes, they need a different kind of space to express it.

That's where play therapy comes in.

What Is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a form of counseling designed specifically for children, typically ages 6–12. Instead of sitting and talking about feelings, children use toys, art, sand trays, puppets, and games to express what's going on internally.

For kids, play is their first language. It's how they make sense of the world, work through confusing experiences, and try out new ways of coping. A trained play therapist knows how to observe, interpret, and gently guide this process.

Play therapy is backed by decades of clinical research. It's not "just playing" — it's a structured, therapeutic approach that helps children process emotions, heal from difficult experiences, and develop healthier coping skills.

Signs Your Child Might Benefit from Play Therapy

Every child is different. But if you're seeing a cluster of these signs — especially after a stressful event or life change — it may be time to reach out.

Emotional Changes

Increased anxiety or worry. 

Your child seems more fearful than usual. They ask repetitive "what if" questions, have trouble sleeping, or worry excessively about things going wrong.

Persistent sadness. 

They seem down, cry more often, or have lost interest in things they used to enjoy.

Big emotional swings. 

One minute they're fine; the next they're melting down. The intensity feels out of proportion to what's happening.

Withdrawal. 

They've pulled back from family, friends, or activities. They spend more time alone and seem disconnected.

If your child is showing physical symptoms of anxiety — stomachaches, headaches, trouble sleeping — that's another signal worth paying attention to.

Behavioral Changes

Acting out.

More defiance at home, more trouble at school, more conflict with siblings or peers.

Aggression.

Hitting, biting, throwing things, or verbal outbursts that seem out of character.

Regression. Returning to behaviors they'd outgrown — bedwetting, thumb-sucking, baby talk, needing a nightlight again.

Difficulty separating.

Extreme distress at drop-off, refusing to go to school, or needing constant reassurance that you'll come back.

Changes in eating or sleeping.

Appetite changes, nightmares, difficulty falling asleep, or wanting to sleep in your bed again.

Life Events That Can Trigger the Need for Support

Sometimes the connection is obvious — your child's behavior shifts after a specific event. Other times, the cause is less clear, or it's a combination of stressors.

Common triggers include:

• Family changes: 

  • Divorce or separation, a new sibling, a parent starting a new job or traveling more

• Loss: 

  • Death of a grandparent, family member, friend, or pet. Even the loss of a beloved teacher or nanny can hit hard.

• Moves and transitions:

  • New home, new school, new city. Kids often grieve these changes more than adults realize.

• Trauma:

  • Witnessing something scary, experiencing abuse or neglect, being involved in an accident, or living through a community crisis.

• Social struggles:

  • Bullying, friendship problems, feeling like they don't fit in.

If your family has gone through a major transition, your child might benefit from support — even if they seem "fine" on the surface.

Learn more about how children experience and express grief.

"But My Child Seems Fine Most of the Time"

This is something I hear a lot from parents.

Kids are resilient. They can seem perfectly happy at a birthday party and then fall apart at bedtime.

They can do well at school but struggle at home (or vice versa). They can hold it together in public and unravel in the safety of their own house.

This doesn't mean nothing is wrong. It often means your child is working hard to manage — and running out of bandwidth.

Pay attention to patterns, not just isolated moments. And trust your gut.

If something feels off, it probably is.

What Play Therapy Can Help With

Play therapy is effective for a wide range of childhood challenges:

• Anxiety and worry

• Sadness and depression

• Anger and aggression

• Trauma and PTSD

• Grief and loss

• Adjustment to divorce or family changes

• Social difficulties

• Low self-esteem

• Behavioral problems at home or school

It can also help children who are neurodivergent or have developmental differences — though in some cases, other specialized approaches may be more appropriate.

What to Expect If You Reach Out

If you decide to explore play therapy for your child, here's what the process typically looks like:

1. Phone consultation. We'll talk about what's happening and whether play therapy seems like a good fit. This is free and usually takes about 15 minutes.

2. Parent intake. Before your child's first session, we meet with you to get background, discuss concerns, and set goals.

3. Sessions begin. Your child meets with the therapist, usually weekly. Sessions are 45–50 minutes. The playroom is stocked with carefully selected toys and materials.

4. Ongoing communication. We keep you in the loop about themes and progress. We may also teach you strategies to use at home.

At Morrisville Counseling and Consulting, we offer play therapy for children ages 6–12.

Our office is in Morrisville, serving families from Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Apex, and Chapel Hill.

If your child is 13 or older, talk therapy approaches are usually a better fit — see our teen counseling page.

You Don't Have to Figure This Out Alone

Parenting is hard enough without carrying the weight of worry about your child's mental health.

If you've been watching your child struggle — with big emotions, difficult behavior, or something you can't quite name — reaching out for help isn't overreacting. It's paying attention.

Play therapy gives children a safe space to express what they can't say in words. And it gives you guidance on how to support them through it.

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation and let's talk about what's going on.

Heather Steele is the owner and lead therapist at Morrisville Counseling and Consulting, serving families across Morrisville, Raleigh, Durham, Cary, and Apex, NC.