Child-Centered Play Therapy for Kids

What is child-centered play therapy?

Child-Centered Play Therapy is a developmentally appropriate therapeutic approach that allows children to express thoughts, emotions, and experiences through play. Since children often communicate best through actions rather than words, play becomes their natural language, and therapy becomes a safe space where healing, growth, and emotional expression can unfold. At Bozeman Therapy & Counseling, our child therapists use play to meet children exactly where they are.

Play is how children process big feelings. In play therapy, it becomes a path to healing.

When should you consider play therapy?

Many children struggle to put their emotions into words or process big experiences, which can show up as challenging behavior or quiet, internalized distress. Play therapy may be helpful if your child is experiencing:

• Emotional regulation challenges, such as frequent tantrums, mood swings, or trouble calming down
• Anxiety or fears, including separation anxiety, social anxiety, or specific phobias
• Aggression or withdrawal, such as hitting, yelling, isolating, or shutting down
• Changes in behavior, such as shifts in eating, sleeping, or daily functioning
• Life transitions, including divorce, loss, moving, or a new sibling
• Trauma or loss, such as medical trauma, grief, or witnessing distressing events

What is our approach to play therapy?

Our play therapy is child-centered and attachment-focused. Using toys, art, sandplay, and storytelling, children express their inner world while the therapist offers emotional attunement and gentle guidance. We foster a strong therapeutic bond that helps your child build trust, resilience, and coping strategies, and we partner closely with you as the parent throughout. Therapy is always adapted to your child's age, developmental level, and individual needs.

What can you expect?

Play therapy is carefully structured to meet your child where they are. We begin with a parent intake and consultation to learn about your child's history, temperament, family dynamics, and your goals. In sessions, your child expresses themselves through play while the therapist provides attunement and support, and you receive ongoing feedback, insights, and tools to support your child's growth at home. Over time, children often learn to express emotions in healthy ways, build emotional awareness and regulation, grow in confidence and resilience, heal from stressful experiences, and strengthen connection within the family.

Who provides play therapy?

Play therapy at Bozeman Therapy & Counseling is provided by clinicians who specialize in young children and families. Sarah Marsh, SWLC, focuses on early childhood development, developmental screenings, and parent coaching, and Allison Floyd, PCLC, specializes in child-centered play therapy, emotional regulation, and parent coaching, supporting kids through anxiety, big behaviors, and family transitions.

Is play therapy available in Montana?

Play therapy takes place in person in our Bozeman office, where children can use the full play space. For families outside Bozeman, we can offer parent consultation and coaching by secure telehealth, and we are glad to help you find the right starting point for your child.

What to expect when you start