Your child is struggling, and you want to help them feel better. Play therapy offers a safe, natural way for children to heal and grow.
You're Worried About Your Child and Don't Know How to Help
Maybe your child has become more withdrawn, anxious, or angry, and you’re not sure what’s causing it. Perhaps they’re having meltdowns that seem bigger than the situation warrants, or they’ve started having nightmares and refusing to go to school. You might notice them acting out behaviors that concern you, or struggling to make friends and connect with other children.
You’ve tried talking to them, but they can’t seem to put their feelings into words, or they shut down when you ask what’s wrong. You feel helpless watching your child struggle, and you wonder if something deeper is going on that you can’t reach. You want to help them, but you’re not sure how.
Your child doesn’t have to carry these heavy feelings alone, and neither do you.
Play Therapy Can Help Your Child Heal and Thrive
Imagine your child sleeping peacefully through the night again, waking up excited about their day. Picture them confidently joining other kids on the playground, making friends, and handling frustrations without big meltdowns. What if they could express their feelings in healthy ways and feel secure, confident, and joyful again?
Play therapy at Revive KC helps children process difficult emotions, work through challenging experiences, and develop healthy coping skills, all through the natural language of play. Because young children often can’t express what they’re feeling in words, play becomes their voice. Through therapeutic play, your child can work through what’s troubling them in a safe, non-threatening environment. Many parents in Lenexa and throughout the Kansas City metro describe seeing their child’s spark return, watching them become more confident, calmer, and genuinely happy again.
You might consider play therapy for your child if they’re experiencing:
- Frequent tantrums or emotional outbursts that seem excessive
- Anxiety, excessive worry, or fearfulness
- Withdrawal from family, friends, or activities they used to enjoy
- Behavioral changes at home or school
- Difficulty managing emotions or frequent mood swings
- Regression in development (bedwetting, baby talk, clinginess)
- Sleep problems, nightmares, or night terrors
- Difficulty making or keeping friends
- Aggressive or defiant behavior
- Trauma from abuse, neglect, or witnessing violence
- Grief after losing a loved one or pet
- Adjustment difficulties after major life changes (divorce, move, new sibling)
- Low self-esteem or negative self-talk
- Academic struggles related to emotional or behavioral issues
- Repetitive play themes involving violence, fear, or distress
If several of these signs describe your child, play therapy can provide the support and healing they need.
At Revive KC, our child therapists are specially trained in play therapy approaches and understand child development deeply. We know that children process the world differently than adults, and we meet them exactly where they are developmentally. Our therapist Brieanna Claassen, LCPC, works with clients ages 3 and up and their families, bringing a warm, developmentally-attuned approach to play therapy.
Our play therapists create a warm, accepting space where your child feels safe to express themselves freely. We’re skilled at understanding what children communicate through their play and helping them work through difficult emotions and experiences at their own pace. We also partner closely with parents, providing guidance and support as you help your child heal.
The Revive KC Approach to Play Therapy
Play is a child’s natural language. Just as adults process experiences and emotions through talking, children process their world through play. Play therapy harnesses this natural form of expression to help children work through challenges, develop coping skills, and heal from difficult experiences.
Child-Centered Play Therapy
We primarily use child-centered play therapy, an approach that allows your child to lead the sessions while we provide a safe, supportive environment. In the playroom, children have access to carefully selected toys and materials that allow them to express their inner world, feelings they may not have words for, difficult experiences they’re processing, and conflicts they’re trying to resolve.
Through play, children can:
- Express feelings that are too big or confusing to put into words
- Gain mastery over experiences that made them feel powerless
- Practice new behaviors and solutions to problems
- Release tension and stress in healthy ways
- Develop self-regulation and emotional control
- Build confidence and self-esteem
- Process trauma at their own developmental level
The Therapeutic Play Space
Our play therapy room is designed specifically for children’s healing. It includes materials for creative expression (art supplies, sand tray, puppets), nurturing play (dolls, kitchen items, caring for babies), aggressive play (toy soldiers, foam swords for safe expression of anger), and real-life scenarios (dress-up, doctor kits, toy phones). These aren’t random toys; each serves a therapeutic purpose in helping children express and process their experiences.
Developmentally Appropriate Approaches
We adapt our approach based on your child’s age and developmental stage:
Ages 3-5: Highly sensory and imaginative play, short sessions, heavy parent involvement for consistency at home.
Ages 6-9: Combination of play and beginning to use words, games with rules help with impulse control and frustration tolerance, themes of fairness and justice often emerge.
Ages 10-12: Blend of play and talk therapy, more complex games and art projects, beginning to discuss feelings more directly while still using play as needed.
Parent Partnership and Support
Your involvement is crucial to your child’s progress. We provide regular parent consultations to help you understand what’s happening in play therapy, offer strategies to support your child at home, address your questions and concerns, and celebrate progress together.
We also teach you specific skills like reflecting your child’s feelings, setting appropriate boundaries with empathy, and responding to difficult behaviors in ways that strengthen your connection.
Faith-Integrated Play Therapy
For families who desire it, we can incorporate Christian principles and biblical truths into play therapy in age-appropriate ways. This might include using stories of God’s love and care, gentle reminders that they’re precious to God, age-appropriate scripture concepts integrated naturally, and helping children understand that God cares about their feelings and experiences.
Many Christian families find comfort in knowing their child’s therapy aligns with the values and faith foundation they’re building at home.
What Play Therapy Helps With
Play therapy is effective for a wide range of childhood concerns:
Emotional and Behavioral Issues:
- Anxiety disorders and excessive worry
- Depression and persistent sadness
- Anger management and aggressive behavior
- Defiance and oppositional behavior
- ADHD-related emotional regulation
- Impulse control difficulties
Trauma and Loss:
- Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
- Witnessing domestic violence
- Grief and loss of loved ones
- Medical trauma or chronic illness
- Natural disasters or accidents
- Neglect or attachment disruptions
Family and Social Challenges:
- Divorce or parental separation
- Blended family therapy adjustment
- New sibling or family changes
- Social skills deficits
- Bullying (victim or perpetrator)
- School refusal or academic stress
What to Expect in Play Therapy
First Session (Parent Consultation):
We typically meet with parents first to understand your child’s history, current concerns, family dynamics, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. This helps us create a treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs.
Meeting Your Child:
In the first session with your child, we’ll help them feel comfortable in the playroom. We explain (in child-friendly language) that this is a special place where kids can play and work through big feelings. We establish simple, clear boundaries that help children feel safe.
Ongoing Sessions:
Sessions are typically 45-50 minutes and occur weekly for best results. Your child will engage in play while we observe, reflect, and gently guide as needed. Early sessions often involve testing boundaries and building trust. As therapy progresses, you’ll likely notice changes in the themes of play and your child’s behavior both in session and at home.
Progress and Completion:
We’ll meet with you periodically to discuss progress and adjust our approach as needed. Play therapy typically lasts 12-20 sessions, though this varies based on your child’s needs. We’ll work together to determine when your child has met their goals and is ready to complete therapy.
What's Holding You Back from Beginning Play Therapy?
"My teenager refuses to come to therapy."
This is common. We have experience working with reluctant teens and can often help them feel more comfortable about attending. Sometimes starting with just the parents can shift family dynamics enough that teens become willing to participate. We can also discuss strategies for encouraging their involvement.
"I'm worried it will just turn into everyone blaming me."
Family therapy isn’t about assigning blame. It’s about understanding patterns and making changes together. Our therapists ensure that every family member’s perspective is heard and that the focus stays on solutions rather than fault-finding.
"What if my child shares things they've never told us before?"
This can feel scary, but it’s often a sign that therapy is creating the safe space your child needs to be honest. We’ll help you navigate these revelations with compassion and guide your family through processing difficult information together.
"We've tried family meetings at home and they always end in fighting."
That’s exactly why having a trained therapist present can make such a difference. We provide structure, keep conversations productive, and teach skills you can use at home once therapy is complete.
"I'm worried about the cost with the whole family attending."
Many insurance plans cover family therapy. We’ll help you understand your coverage. Additionally, investing in your family’s well-being now can prevent more serious and costly problems down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age range is appropriate for play therapy?
Play therapy is most effective for children ages 3-12. Younger children (3-10) typically benefit most from traditional play therapy approaches, while older children (10-12) may benefit from a combination of play and talk therapy.
Do you accept insurance for play therapy?
Yes, we accept most major insurance plans. Coverage for play therapy varies by plan, so contact us to verify your specific benefits. We also offer self-pay options.
How long does play therapy take?
This varies based on your child’s needs and the issues being addressed. Some children show significant improvement in 12-15 sessions, while others benefit from longer-term therapy, especially when addressing trauma or complex behavioral issues. We’ll discuss a treatment plan and regularly assess progress.
What's the difference between play therapy and regular play?
While all play is beneficial for children, play therapy is guided by a trained therapist who understands the therapeutic process and child development. The playroom is carefully designed, the therapist is intentional in their responses, and there’s a clear therapeutic goal. It’s structured to facilitate healing and growth in ways that regular play may not.
Will you tell me everything my child does in therapy?
We provide regular updates about themes, progress, and general content of sessions. However, children deserve some privacy in therapy, just as adults do. We’ll share important information, especially anything related to safety, but we also build trust with children by respecting their confidentiality.
Can siblings come to play therapy together?
Sometimes! If the primary concern involves the relationship between siblings, we might include both children. However, most often children benefit from individual attention in play therapy. We’ll assess what’s best for your family’s situation.
What if my child has been diagnosed with autism or ADHD?
Play therapy can be very beneficial for children with autism, ADHD, or other developmental differences. We adapt our approach to meet each child’s unique needs and may incorporate specific strategies that support their particular challenges.
Do you offer play therapy online?
While traditional play therapy works best in person, we do offer adapted therapeutic approaches for children via telehealth when needed. This might include art therapy activities, games, and talk therapy modified for children. We can discuss the best format for your child.
Begin Play Therapy for Your Child in Lenexa, KS
You don’t have to watch your child struggle without knowing how to help. Play therapy offers a proven, developmentally appropriate path to healing and emotional growth.
At Revive KC, we’re here to walk alongside you and your child on this journey. Our experienced child therapists in Lenexa are specially trained in play therapy and ready to help your child process difficult feelings, develop healthy coping skills, and rediscover their joy and confidence.
Take the first step toward helping your child thrive. Call us today at (913) 491-6876 or schedule your free 15-minute consultation online. Our office is conveniently located at 12351 W. 96th Ter, Suite 108, Lenexa, KS 66215, serving families throughout the Kansas City metro area including Overland Park, Olathe, and Leawood.
Your child deserves to feel safe, confident, and happy. Let’s help them get there together.