Why Play Heals: The Science Behind Play Therapy

Through play therapy, children find ways to heal, grow, and regain a sense of wholeness.

For some parents, the idea of play therapy may seem puzzling. How can playing really help my child? But play therapy isn’t just “playing”—it’s a research-backed, highly effective therapeutic approach designed to help children express emotions, solve problems, and build skills in a way that feels natural to them.

When children step into a playroom, their brains are hard at work. Neurons are firing, creating new connections, and strengthening pathways that support learning, emotional processing, and healing.

Play therapy harnesses this natural brain activity to help children grow and learn. By tapping into the science of play, therapists can help children navigate challenges, build resilience, and grow in meaningful ways (Landreth, 2012).

At Reach Counseling, we are deeply committed to these principles because we believe every child deserves a safe space to heal, express themselves, and develop the tools they need to thrive. Join us in exploring how play therapy activates key areas of a child’s growing brain to foster emotional healing and improve self-regulation!

How the Brain Responds to Play

Play activates multiple areas of the brain, creating an environment ripe for growth and healing. This activation translates into real-life improvements, such as better emotional expression, improved behavior, and stronger coping skills. Let’s explore some of the key brain processes involved in play therapy:

• The Limbic System: Emotional Processing
  The limbic system, often referred to as the brain’s emotional center, is crucial for processing and regulating emotions. Play therapy provides a safe, nonjudgmental environment where children can express feelings like fear, anger, or sadness that they may not yet have the words to describe. By engaging in play, the child can work through these emotions in a way that feels natural and safe (Perry & Szalavitz, 2017).

• The Prefrontal Cortex: Problem-Solving and Regulation
  The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, problem-solving, and self-regulation, is still developing in children. Structured play therapy activities help strengthen this area by encouraging children to make choices, practice impulse control, and work through challenges. For example, navigating a conflict in a role-play scenario or completing a challenging art project can promote growth in these areas (Siegel & Bryson, 2020).

• The Amygdala: Reducing Stress and Fear
  The amygdala is the brain’s alarm system, responsible for detecting threats and triggering the fight-or-flight response. For children who have experienced trauma or heightened anxiety, the amygdala can remain overactive. Play therapy helps reduce stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” system) through calming and engaging activities. This allows the child’s brain to shift from survival mode to a state of learning and healing (Gaskill & Perry, 2014).

• Neuroplasticity: Building New Connections
  Children’s brains are incredibly adaptable thanks to neuroplasticity, which allows the brain to form new connections and pathways. Play therapy leverages this by creating positive, emotionally safe experiences that can rewire the brain’s response to stress or difficult emotions. Over time, these repeated experiences help children develop healthier emotional patterns and coping strategies (Russ, 2004).

Play therapy helps children recognize, express, and navigate their feelings in a safe, supportive space. Just like in Inside Out, all emotions have a role in our story.

Why Play Works Better Than Words for Kids

While adults often process their experiences through conversation, children naturally process theirs through play. Play gives them the tools to explore complex emotions in a way that feels safe and manageable, bypassing the need for advanced verbal skills they may not yet have. Here’s why play is such an effective medium for therapy:

• Play is a Child’s Natural Language:
  For younger children especially, verbal skills may not be developed enough to articulate complex emotions or experiences. Play provides an alternative “language” for them to communicate their inner world. A child arranging figurines in a sand tray or acting out a scenario with puppets is expressing feelings and experiences in a way that feels accessible and safe (Landreth, 2012).

• Engagement Without Pressure:
  Play therapy removes the pressure of direct confrontation. Instead of asking a child to discuss a painful memory outright, a therapist might encourage them to draw a picture or reenact the event using toys. This indirect approach helps reduce defensiveness and promotes trust (Ray, 2011).

• Activates Emotional Healing:
  Activities like role-playing or creating art allow children to externalize their feelings, making them easier to explore and process. For example, a child who draws a picture of their fear can begin to see that fear as something separate from themselves, which makes it easier to address (Russ, 2004).

Through imaginative play, children can process emotions, navigate social situations, and tell their stories in a way that feels safe and natural.

The Science in Action: Common Play Therapy Techniques

Sand Tray Therapy:
A child uses figurines and a sandbox to create a “world” that represents their feelings or experiences. This activates the limbic system and provides a tangible way to explore emotions (Homeyer & Sweeney, 2016).

Art-Based Activities:
Drawing, painting, or sculpting taps into the brain’s right hemisphere, which is linked to creativity and emotional expression. These activities help children externalize their inner world in a way that words often cannot (Russ, 2004).

Bibliotherapy:
Using stories to help children process their emotions and experiences can be a powerful, playful tool. For example, reading a book like Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes can help a child who is anxious about starting school relate to the character’s feelings. After reading, the therapist can guide the child in identifying their own worries and practice coping strategies through role-play or creative activities.

Role-Playing:
Acting out scenarios with dolls, puppets, or costumes allows children to safely explore fears, practice problem-solving, and build emotional regulation skills (Landreth, 2012).

Movement-Based Play:
Activities like dance, yoga, or obstacle courses help release pent-up energy and reduce stress while promoting body awareness and self-regulation (Gaskill & Perry, 2014).

Play therapy helps children develop patience and problem-solving.

The Play Therapist’s Role in Brain-Based Healing

The therapist’s job is to create a safe, supportive environment where play can unfold naturally. By observing a child’s play, therapists gain valuable insights into the child’s inner world, including their fears, strengths, and unmet needs. Therapists then use intentional techniques to guide the child toward self-discovery and healing.

During a play therapy sessions, therapists often use reflective statements (“It looks like that animal is feeling scared”) to help a child identify emotions. Or they might introduce calming sensory tools, like weighted items or kinetic sand, to help a child regulate their nervous system during the session (Ray, 2011).

Healing begins with safety, trust, and meaningful connections. 

In Conclusion: Play Heals!

The science behind play therapy underscores its transformative potential. By engaging a child’s brain in ways that feel natural and safe, play therapy helps children process emotions, build coping skills, and develop the confidence they need to face life’s challenges. Here at Reach Counseling, this science is at the heart of what we do. We integrate evidence-based play therapy techniques into our work with children and teens, tailoring each session to meet their unique needs and goals. It’s not just “playing around”—it’s intentional, evidence-based work that fosters growth, healing, and lasting change, one playful moment at a time.

Suggested Resources for Parents

Explore these valuable resources to help parents learn more about play therapy and observe how its principles can create positive changes at home, from improved communication to better emotional regulation:

Books for Parents:

• The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson

• Parenting Through Play by Julia Cook

Activities to Try at Home:

• Create a calming corner with sensory items like stress balls, kinetic sand, or a glitter jar.

• Use puppets or dolls to role-play challenging situations or emotions with your child.

• Encourage creative expression through drawing, storytelling, or pretend play to help your child process feelings.

Local Community Resources:

• Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) : Structured therapy groups where parents learn play therapy techniques to enhance their bond with their child and foster emotional growth at home.

• Check with schools or libraries for free workshops on emotional regulation and play-based learning.

Online Resources:

• Child Mind Institute: Articles and tips for supporting your child’s mental health.

• Parenting Science: Research-backed insights on the benefits of play for children’s development.

If you’re interested in learning more about play therapy services for your child, teen, or family, contact us today. Reach Counseling, located in North Fort Worth/Keller, Texas, is here to support your family’s journey toward healing, connection, and growth.

References

• Gaskill, R. L., & Perry, B. D. (2014). The Neurobiological Power of Play: Using the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics to Guide Play in the Healing Process.

• Homeyer, L. E., & Sweeney, D. S. (2016). Sandtray Therapy: A Practical Manual (2nd ed.).

• Landreth, G. L. (2012). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (3rd ed.).

• Perry, B. D., & Szalavitz, M. (2017). The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist’s Notebook.

• Ray, D. C. (2011). Advanced Play Therapy: Essential Conditions, Knowledge, and Skills for Child Practice.

• Russ, S. W. (2004). Play in Child Development and Psychotherapy: Toward Empirically Supported Practice.

• Siegel, D. J., & Bryson, T. P. (2020). The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind.