How Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) Can Change the Way You Work with Kids
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby is a licensed psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, board-certified coach, AAMFT clinical supervisor, host of the Love, Happiness, and Success Podcast and founder of Growing Self.
Therapists, have you ever wondered how to help children who are struggling emotionally but can’t quite articulate their feelings? Or maybe you’re looking for a niche in your therapy career and want to make a real difference in kids’ lives. Well, let me introduce you to Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)—a powerful, evidence-based approach that transforms children’s emotional and behavioral struggles without the need for long discussions or complicated techniques.
In my latest episode of Love, Happiness, and Success for Therapists, I had the chance to chat with Dr. Brenna Hicks, a psychologist who specializes in CCPT. Her insights completely shifted my perspective on how we can support children in therapy. And today, I’m sharing everything I learned about how CCPT works and the immense benefits it can bring to both kids and therapists.
What is Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)?
At its core, CCPT is based on the idea that children’s emotional healing happens through a safe, supportive relationship where they are given the freedom to express themselves naturally. Unlike traditional therapy, where adults often rely on conversation, CCPT allows children to use play as their primary method of expression while a therapist continually assesses their behavior.
Children are not always able to put their emotions into words, and because of their developmental stage, they often don’t have the cognitive tools to explain what’s going on inside. This is where play comes in. Play is the language of children, and through it, they can express their fears, frustrations, and desires in a way that feels natural to them.
So, how does it work? Here’s the basic process:
The Power of Relationships: The therapist-child relationship is the most important tool in CCPT. As the child experiences acceptance and validation in this relationship, they begin to learn how to manage their feelings, cope with difficult situations, and understand their own emotional experiences.
Creating a Safe Space: In a CCPT session, the therapist provides a non-judgmental, secure environment where the child knows they are free to explore their feelings without fear of criticism. This space is therapeutically designed, often filled with toys, art supplies, and activities that are chosen specifically to encourage creative expression and emotional exploration.
The Therapist’s Role: The therapist doesn’t do the “work” for the child or direct the child’s play. Instead, they take a reflective role, offering affirmations and gentle guidance when needed. Through reflective responses like nodding, mirroring feelings, and tracking behavior, the therapist helps the child feel understood and seen.
Emotional Growth Through Play: The child leads the process. Whether they’re using dolls to create scenes, drawing pictures, or building with blocks, the act of playing allows them to process emotions and work through conflicts in a way that feels safe and empowering.
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Benefits of Play Therapy
So, what are the benefits of CCPT? Let’s dive in, because they speak for themselves.
1. Emotional Regulation
Children who struggle with emotional dysregulation often feel overwhelmed by their feelings but lack the vocabulary or skills to manage them. Through play, CCPT teaches children how to recognize and express their emotions in healthy ways. This emotional regulation improves over time, helping them cope with stress, anxiety, and anger in more constructive ways.
2. Building Self-Esteem
When children are given the chance to lead their therapy process, they feel more in control and empowered. The therapist’s role is to reflect their feelings and help them process their experiences. This validates their emotions, which boosts their self-worth. Over time, CCPT leads to a stronger sense of self-esteem and self-efficacy.
3. Developing Social Skills
CCPT also helps children understand and develop social and relational skills. They learn about boundaries, empathy, cooperation, and conflict resolution in a playful and non-threatening way. Whether it’s working with peers in the playroom or navigating real-life relationships, these skills transfer into their daily lives, improving their interactions with others.
4. Support for Trauma and Anxiety
One of the most significant benefits of CCPT is its ability to help children who have experienced trauma or are struggling with anxiety. Instead of talking about traumatic events directly, CCPT allows children to express their feelings indirectly through symbolic play. This approach reduces the emotional intensity of the trauma, helping them process their pain in their own way.
5. No Need for Direct Conversation
CCPT doesn’t force children to talk about their struggles. Instead, it works with the child’s natural ability to express through play and creativity, which is incredibly powerful because it removes the barriers that many children face in verbalizing their thoughts and feelings.
6. A Safe Place for Vulnerability
For children, emotional vulnerability is often difficult. But in the safety of the therapy room, where they feel understood and accepted, children can explore emotions they may have been avoiding or suppressing.
How to Become a Play Therapist
What makes Child-Centered Play Therapy such an incredible approach is that it honors the child’s emotional and developmental needs. It respects the child’s autonomy in their therapeutic journey, and it empowers them to take the lead in their healing.
As therapists, this means no more feeling stuck or unsure of how to help a client. When you embrace CCPT, you enter a process where you simply create the space and the relationship, and the healing happens organically.
To start incorporating CCPT into your practice, begin by familiarizing yourself with the core principles. Resources like The Therapeutic Powers of Play and attending specialized training workshops are great starting points.
For those who are serious about integrating CCPT into their practice, formal certification is available through organizations like the Association for Play Therapy (APT). Certification typically involves completing specialized training, logging supervised clinical hours, and attending workshops.
Once certified, you’ll gain deeper insight into the process and be able to apply it more effectively with your clients. Certification not only enhances your professional credibility but also equips you with the tools to make lasting, positive changes in children’s lives.
Want to Learn More and Get Started with CCPT?
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If you’re looking to take the conversation further, I’d love to connect with you on LinkedIn! Whether you have a specific question or just want to engage in a deeper discussion about therapy, self-care, or growing a successful practice, I’m here to chat. We’re all in this together, and having a supportive network is the best way to stay grounded and inspired. I’d be so happy to hear from you.
Xoxo
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby
P.S. – If this episode or any of these resources resonate with you, please feel free to share them with a colleague or in your professional community. More therapists need to hear about the power of Child-Centered Play Therapy and how it can change the way we work with kids.
Resources
Muro, J., Ray, D., Schottelkorb, A., Smith, M. R., & Blanco, P. J. (2006). Quantitative analysis of long-term child-centered play therapy. International Journal of Play Therapy, 15(2), 35. https://psycnet.apa.org/journals/pla/15/2/35/
Post, P. (1999). Impact of child-centered play therapy on the self-esteem, locus of control, and anxiety of at-risk 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students. International Journal of Play Therapy, 8(2), 1. https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2000-13732-001.html
Parker, M. M., Hergenrather, K., Smelser, Q., & Kelly, C. T. (2021). Exploring child-centered play therapy and trauma: A systematic review of literature. International Journal of Play Therapy, 30(1), 2. https://psycnet.apa.org/journals/pla/30/1/2/
Kascsak, T. M. (2012). The impact of child-centered group play therapy on social skills development of kindergarten children (Doctoral dissertation, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte). https://search.proquest.com/openview/3db978758a030b36f93e573181ead1cb/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750
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