Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)
Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT): Helping Children Heal Through Play
Play therapy is a specialized form of counseling designed specifically for children ages 3 and up, with the age limit slightly varying based on the individual child. Unlike adults, children haven’t yet developed the cognitive abilities for abstract reasoning, such as understanding cause and effect. This means that children often operate from an emotional place, rather than a rational one. Because of this, traditional talk therapy, which relies on verbal discussion of issues, isn’t effective for young clients. Instead, children work through issues by playing them out, not by talking about them.
If you’ve ever taken a close look at your child’s play, you might notice that their themes and scenarios often reflect what’s happening in their lives. Through play, children naturally explore and make sense of their world.
What is Child-Centered Play Therapy?
We practice Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), an approach where the therapist supports but does not direct the child’s play. This model operates on the belief that given the time, tools, and opportunity, children can naturally guide themselves toward healing. Child-Centered therapists recognize that self-driven healing fosters deeper, more lasting change. When children take the lead in their therapeutic journey, they become more invested in their progress, creating a foundation for meaningful, long-term growth. Unlike quick-fix methods, CCPT addresses root issues and equips children with lifelong emotional tools, building resilience and self-awareness that extend far beyond the therapy room.
Our playroom is a safe, specialized space where children can build and practice self-regulation skills. Think of it as a practice stadium in preseason—an environment for drills, practices, and scrimmages where the “points” don’t count. Here, children can work on vital skills in a supportive setting, so they’re better prepared to face real-life challenges at home, school, or with friends, where the “points” do count.
Children struggling with emotional or behavioral issues can practice self-regulation, operating within boundaries, and self-control in a safe environment. For children dealing with low self-esteem or anxiety, the play therapist provides support that encourages self-confidence and coping skills, helping them manage their worries in a healthy way.
Why Play Therapy Works
Play therapy recognizes that while adults use their thoughts and words to process issues, children rely on their emotions and play. In this setting, the play therapist plays a unique role, akin to a guide or “guardrail,” gently helping the child stay on a path of healing. The child, with support from the therapist, can navigate the full range of emotions, challenges, and thoughts they might be experiencing
Key Techniques Used in Child-Centered Play Therapy
At Lily Pad Counseling, our Child-Centered Play Therapy techniques—Reflecting Feelings, Choice Giving, Limit Setting, and Encouragement—create a safe space where children can express emotions, make empowered choices, and build confidence to navigate life’s challenges.
Reflecting Feelings
The therapist reflects the child’s emotions back to them, helping them build an emotional vocabulary. This skill helps children recognize and express their feelings in words, reducing the likelihood of escalating behaviors.
Choice Giving
Many children face challenges rooted in a desire for power and control. Many parents experience power struggles with their children at some point or another. By offering acceptable choices, the therapist helps children experience a sense of agency, which can lessen the need to seek control in unhealthy ways. This also gives children a chance to build their decision making skills, which later plays a role in their ability to use cognitive reasoning.
Limit Setting
Limit setting can frequently be seen in combination with choice giving. It provides structure and helps children practice operating within boundaries. This technique allows children to navigate and respect limits while still expressing themselves safely.
Encouragement
Limit setting can frequently be seen in combination with choice giving. It provides structure and helps children practice operating within boundaries. This technique allows children to navigate and respect limits while still expressing themselves safely.
The Power of Child-Centered Play Therapy
With over a century of research supporting it, play therapy has proven to be an effective approach to helping children achieve emotional and behavioral well-being. Through these techniques, practiced within a thoughtfully created playroom environment, children can grow, heal, and thrive in ways that honor their unique emotional and cognitive needs.
Common Challenges Addressed Through Child-Centered Play Therapy
- Anxiety and stress management
- Depressive symptoms
- Power struggles
- Adjusting to life changes (divorce, blending families, new siblings, etc)
- Inappropriate behavior (in all environments or in just one) ADHD symptoms (with or without diagnosis)
- Low self-esteem or self-worth
- Negative self-talk or self-doubt
- Fear of trying new things
- School or academic stress
- Low self-confidence
- Navigating peer relationships
- Aggression
- Emotional regulation difficulties
- Sibling rivalry
- Trauma
- Family conflict
- Lack of oping skills
Start your journey toward emotional well-being today. Offering trusted play therapy in Frisco, TX, we’re here to support your family.
