How Play Therapy Can Help

If you're a parent feeling concerned about your child's behaviour or emotional wellbeing, you're not alone. It’s common to wonder why your child seems more angry, withdrawn, anxious, or uncooperative than usual. You may have asked yourself, “Why is my child behaving badly?” or “Why won’t my child talk to me?” Perhaps your child has experienced something traumatic, and you’re unsure how to help them heal or move forward.

These are incredibly difficult questions, and it can feel overwhelming not knowing where to turn. What many parents don’t realise is that children often struggle to express their feelings through words — especially when those feelings are big, confusing, or painful. That’s where play therapy can make a difference.

What Is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a specialist form of child therapy that uses play — rather than conversation — as the main way for children to express themselves. While adults may sit and talk through their thoughts in a traditional therapy session, children communicate more naturally through stories, games, drawing, role play, and imaginative play.

In play therapy sessions, a trained therapist offers a safe and supportive space where children can explore their emotions and experiences at their own pace, without pressure or judgment. This can be especially valuable for children who have experienced trauma, disrupted early development, loss, or big life changes they may not fully understand.

Why Children Behave the Way They Do

When a child is overwhelmed, confused, or hurting, that distress often shows up in behaviour. A child who seems angry or disruptive may actually be feeling scared or anxious. A child who becomes withdrawn may be struggling to process something too difficult to talk about.

Play therapy helps to gently uncover the feelings behind these behaviours. Through play, children are able to show what’s going on internally — sometimes replaying experiences or acting out scenarios that give the therapist insight into their emotional world. This helps them make sense of those feelings and begin to build emotional resilience in a way that feels safe and manageable.

How Play Therapy Helps Children Heal

Play therapy isn’t just about having fun — although enjoying the process is an important part of it. It’s a structured therapeutic approach that supports emotional healing and healthy development. With the guidance of a skilled play therapist, children can work through difficult experiences, reduce anxiety, build self-confidence, and improve how they relate to others.

The therapist also takes time to understand the wider family context. They listen carefully to parents or carers about the child’s history, concerns, and behaviours, and work together to support the child’s emotional growth. This collaborative approach helps not only the child, but also strengthens family understanding and connection.

Is Play Therapy Right for Your Child?

If your child is struggling with behaviour, has withdrawn emotionally, or has experienced something distressing, play therapy may be a helpful step. Whether they’re having trouble sleeping, acting out, avoiding communication, or just not quite themselves, play therapy can offer a gentle and effective way to help them feel safe, heard, and supported.

Every child is different — and play therapy meets them exactly where they are.

Get in Touch with Our Expert Team

At Nafs, we’re proud to work with some of the UK’s top play therapists, accredited by the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT). Our experienced team is dedicated to supporting children and families through emotional and behavioural challenges with compassion and clinical excellence.

We offer play therapy clinics in: Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Central London, Surrey, and Ely.

If you're concerned about your child’s wellbeing and want to explore how play therapy can help, we invite you to get in touch today. You can also learn more about play therapy HERE.

Contact us now to learn more or to book an initial consultation. +44 (0) 20 3409 1187 info@nafshealth.com