Play Therapy
Using the natural language of childhood to help children process emotions, build resilience, navigate relationships, and find their voice.
40+ years
of play therapy research supporting its effectiveness
Non-verbal
approach — no need for children to articulate complex feelings
CCPT & CBPT
child-centred and structured approaches matched to each child's profile
What is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is a structured, evidence-based approach that uses play — the natural medium of childhood — as the primary vehicle for therapeutic change. Children often lack the verbal capacity to discuss their feelings directly, but they can express and process them through play, creative materials, and symbolic activity. At DCCD, Play Therapy supports emotional regulation, trauma processing, anxiety, social skill development, and life transitions in a safe, non-judgmental relationship with a trained therapist.
Who benefits
- Children experiencing anxiety, fears, or phobias
- Children who have experienced trauma, loss, or significant life changes
- Children with emotional dysregulation or frequent emotional outbursts
- Children with low self-esteem or persistent withdrawal
- Selective mutism and school refusal
- Children with adjustment difficulties (divorce, new siblings, school transitions)
- Children on the autism spectrum who need social-emotional skill building
Our approach
Evidence-based methods selected and combined specifically for each child's profile — never a one-size-fits-all programme.
Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT)
Non-directive, Rogerian approach where the child leads — the therapist creates a safe, accepting relationship and the child chooses the play. Builds self-concept, emotional regulation, and intrinsic problem-solving.
Cognitive Behavioural Play Therapy (CBPT)
Integrates CBT principles into play activities — teaching children to recognize and challenge unhelpful thoughts and build coping skills through age-appropriate games and stories.
Sandtray Therapy
Children create miniature worlds in a sand tray using figurines — a powerful projective technique for processing internal experiences that are difficult to verbalize.
Bibliotherapy
Carefully selected picture books and stories used to normalise emotions, model coping, and open conversations about difficult topics in a non-threatening way.
Filial Therapy / Parent-Child Play Sessions
Parents are trained to conduct short, special play sessions at home, strengthening the attachment relationship and extending therapeutic benefit into daily life.
What to expect
Play Therapy sessions are 40–45 minutes in our specially equipped playroom. The first 2–3 sessions are primarily observational as the therapist builds rapport and observes the child's natural play themes. Sessions are largely child-led, with the therapist responding therapeutically through reflection, limit-setting, and empathic engagement. Parent meetings occur every 4–6 sessions to share progress and incorporate family strategies.
Book an assessmentRelated conditions
Frequently asked questions
Ready to take the first step?
Our intake assessment gives our clinical team the information needed to build the right Play Therapy plan for your child.