Have you ever noticed how children use play to explore the world around them? Whether it’s through dolls, building blocks, or imaginative games, play is how kids make sense of their experiences, express their feelings, and learn about themselves.
This is why Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) is such a valuable approach for supporting children’s emotional health and growth.
What Is Child-Centred Play Therapy?
Child-Centred Play Therapy is a gentle, child-led approach designed especially for children aged 3 to 12. Developed by Virginia Axline in the 1940s, it remains one of the most effective ways to help children navigate a wide range of emotions and challenges.
In CCPT, the child is in the driver’s seat. In a safe, welcoming playroom, children choose what they want to play with and how they want to express themselves. As a therapist, my role is to be fully present, offering empathy, acceptance, and understanding, while reflecting back what I notice in the child’s play and feelings.
Since children often don’t have the words to explain what’s going on inside, play becomes their natural language. It’s through play that they communicate feelings, work through problems, and explore solutions at their own pace.
How Does It Help?
CCPT supports children in building important skills like self-awareness, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. Some key things children learn through this process include:
- Respecting themselves and their feelings
- Accepting and expressing emotions safely
- Taking responsibility for their actions
- Using creativity to solve problems
- Building self-control and confidence
- Making thoughtful choices
By providing a consistent, warm, and accepting environment, CCPT creates a space where children feel safe to be themselves. This safe connection with a caring adult helps children develop trust, feel heard, and build the confidence to face challenges.
What’s Happening in the Brain?
Research shows that when children feel safe and supported, their nervous system can relax. This allows them to shift out of “fight, flight, or freeze” mode and move into a state where learning, growth, and healing are possible. In CCPT, the relationship between therapist and child helps activate this calming social connection through eye contact, soothing tone, and genuine presence.
Through this process, children can develop better emotional regulation skills, try new ways of expressing themselves, and build resilience for life’s ups and downs.
If you’re curious about how Child-Centred Play Therapy might support a child in your life, I’m happy to chat. At Wabi Sabi Wellness, I strive to create a compassionate, safe space where children are empowered to explore, express, and grow, all through the natural power of play.
Jill Havelock
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