Frequently Asked Questions

We appreciate your curiosity and are happy to discuss a topic near and dear to our hearts; questions are always welcomed!

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What is Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), and how does it work?

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Play is the natural language of children. CCPT is built on the belief that children will work on what they need to through play when they are given the time, tools, and opportunity to do so. Rather than simply changing behaviors, CCPT helps children grow from the inside out. Through play and a safe, trusting relationship with the therapist, children experience acceptance, empathy, and understanding while expressing and making sense of their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in ways that are natural for them.

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CCPT is a well-researched, developmentally appropriate, play-based mental health intervention for young children typically ages 3 to 10. Children who participate in CCPT often experience a reduction in emotional and behavioral difficulties, improved relationships, stronger emotional awareness and coping skills, and improvements in overall functioning and well-being.

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How is play therapy different from “just playing?”

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The presence of a trained play therapist makes it different than everyday play. Unlike most relationships in a child's life, the therapist's role is not to teach or direct. Instead, the therapist provides a unique relationship that is focused on understanding and accepting the child's inner world. Play therapists are specially trained to be curious about what children are communicating through their body language, words, and play. They reflect the child’s feelings, experiences, and play in ways that help children feel deeply seen, understood, and accepted while encouraging further expression. Through this process, children begin to better understand themselves and gradually develop an inner voice that is more accepting, compassionate, and confident.

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What can my/our child expect in a session?

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In the playroom, sessions are child-led, meaning your child chooses how they would like to express themselves with a variety of carefully selected toys. The role of the play therapist may vary from session to session (participant in play, active observer) but children are never expected to talk about their problems or perform in any particular way. Instead, they are given the time, space, and support to work through experiences and grow at their own pace.

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What will my child gain from Child-Centered Play Therapy?

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Every child's journey is unique, and growth often happens gradually over time. While play therapy supports each child's individual needs, research has shown that children who participate in Child-Centered Play Therapy often experience growth in four key areas:

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A more developed emotional vocabulary: Children learn to recognize, name, and express their feelings rather than acting them out through behavior.

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Increased self-regulation: Children develop a greater ability to manage emotions, tolerate frustration, make thoughtful choices, and respond rather than react.

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Stronger self-esteem: Children build confidence, trust in themselves, and a stronger sense of who they are and what they are capable of.

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An expanded worldview: Children develop empathy, perspective-taking, and an understanding that their choices and actions impact others.

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How long will my child participate in therapy?

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The play therapy journey is individualized for each child, so it is not possible to predict or guarantee any specific timelines. Child-centered play therapy especially can have varying lengths of treatment since the driving force of its effectiveness is development of the therapeutic relationship.

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Why does Nurtured Beginnings choose CCPT?

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At Nurtured Beginnings, we believe that behavior is information, not the problem itself. By the time a child expresses a behavior, we are seeing the end result of what is happening inside a child's nervous system. Rather than focusing only on changing behaviors, we seek to understand and address the root causes underneath them so children can build the connection, felt sense of safety, regulation, and skills they need to thrive.

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This is why we choose Child-Centered Play Therapy. We view it as the most effective and attachment-based approach to support children’s emotional, social, and overall development. We believe that all children have innate strength and capacity, and play therapy helps children tap into this natural ability to heal and grow.

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‍ ‍References and links for more information:

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Why Play Therapy? Association for Play Therapy Parents and Caregiver Corner

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https://www.a4pt.org/page/ParentsCornerHomePag

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Play Therapy Glossary

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https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.a4pt.org/resource/resmgr/docs/Glossary_of_Play_Therapy_Ter.pdf

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Child-Centered Play Therapy article (D. Ray and G. Landreth):

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