What Is Play Therapy?
A Complete Guide for Parents
What Is Play Therapy?
Play is not simply fun — for children, it is the primary language of communication and emotional expression. Play therapy is a structured, evidence-based form of therapy that meets children exactly where they are, using the natural tools of play, creative arts, and imagination as the medium for healing and growth.
Unlike adult talk therapy, play therapy does not require a child to sit still and explain their feelings out loud. Instead, the therapist uses a specially equipped room filled with carefully selected toys, art materials, sand trays, puppets, building materials, and creative tools to help children express and process what they cannot yet put into words.
Play therapy is globally recognised as one of the most effective therapeutic approaches for children between the ages of 3 and 12 — and sometimes beyond.
How Does Play Therapy Work?
In a play therapy session, your child is given freedom to play in a warm, safe, specially equipped room. The therapist observes, responds, and gently guides — but never forces. Over time, children naturally begin to:
- Express and process difficult emotions in a safe environment
- Work through traumatic or painful experiences symbolically through play
- Develop healthier coping strategies and emotional regulation skills
- Build confidence, self-awareness, and problem-solving ability
- Strengthen their capacity to relate to others and form healthy relationships
Parents often begin to notice positive changes in their child’s behaviour, emotional responses, and overall wellbeing within weeks of starting play therapy.
What Is Gestalt Play Therapy?
Sulene Swanepoel uses a Gestalt Play Therapy approach — one of the most respected and widely practised therapeutic frameworks for children in South Africa and internationally.
Gestalt play therapy focuses on the whole child: their thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and behaviour — and how these all connect and influence one another. Rather than labelling problems or working primarily from diagnosis, Gestalt play therapy supports children to grow their own self-awareness and emotional intelligence in a safe, non-judgmental space.
The approach is holistic, present-focused, and deeply child-centred. It recognises that children are naturally creative, resilient human beings who — when given the right environment and support — have the capacity to heal and grow.
In South Africa, Gestalt play therapy is championed by The Centre for Play Therapy and Training, which is widely regarded as the country’s leading accredited institution for play therapy training. Sulene has completed both Level 1 and Level 2 Gestalt Play Therapy Intervention training through this centre.
What Does a Play Therapy Session Look Like?
Sessions with Sulene take place in a fully equipped, warm, and private play therapy room. Your child will find a space that feels welcoming, non-threatening, and safe.
A typical session unfolds naturally — there is no rigid agenda. The therapist follows the child’s lead, gently tracking the themes and patterns that emerge through play. Over time, this process reveals and begins to resolve the emotional material that the child is carrying.
Sessions are approximately 50 minutes long and are usually held weekly. The first appointment — before your child attends their first session — is a parent consultation, held privately with you.
Who Can Benefit from Play Therapy?
Play therapy can help children who:
- Feel anxious, worried, or fearful about everyday situations
- Have experienced trauma, loss, or bereavement
- Show signs of depression, withdrawal, or emotional sensitivity
- Have angry outbursts or challenging behaviour at home or school
- Are going through family changes — divorce, new siblings, relocation, or bereavement
- Struggle at school academically, socially, or emotionally
- Have difficulty adjusting to change or transitions
- Experience low self-esteem or a lack of confidence
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age is play therapy appropriate?
Play therapy is most commonly used with children between the ages of 3 and 12. However, teenagers and sometimes adults can also benefit from play-based therapeutic approaches. If you are unsure whether your child’s age is suitable, please get in touch — Sulene is happy to discuss your specific situation.
How many sessions will my child need?
Every child is different. Some children make significant progress within 8 to 12 sessions; others benefit from longer-term support over several months. Sulene provides regular parent feedback and will always discuss your child’s progress openly. There is no fixed programme — the process is tailored to your child’s individual needs and pace.
Do I sit in the sessions with my child?
Typically, children attend sessions without their parents present. This gives children the freedom to express themselves fully without feeling they need to manage their parent’s emotions. However, the first session may include a brief meet-and-greet, and regular parent feedback sessions are built into the process from the beginning.
Is play therapy covered by medical aid?
Medical aid coverage for play therapy varies significantly by scheme and plan. It is advisable to contact your medical aid provider directly to check your specific benefits. Sulene can provide the necessary documentation to support any claim submissions you may wish to make.
What happens in the very first appointment?
The first appointment is a parent-only consultation — your child does not attend. This is a 45-minute session where Sulene learns about your child’s background, your concerns, your family’s context, and your goals for therapy. It is also your opportunity to ask questions and decide whether you feel comfortable proceeding. Your child’s first play therapy session follows at a subsequent appointment.
Is play therapy only for children with serious problems?
Not at all. While play therapy absolutely provides support for children through serious challenges — trauma, loss, abuse — it is also very effective for children dealing with everyday stressors: adjusting to a new school, managing friendships, building confidence, or navigating a difficult period at home. Many parents use play therapy proactively to build their child’s emotional resilience before problems escalate.
What should I tell my child about going to therapy?
This is one of the most common questions parents ask. Sulene recommends keeping it simple and positive — something like: “You’re going to meet someone who helps children with their feelings. Her room is full of toys and things to play with, and you get to play for the whole time.” Sulene can provide you with age-appropriate guidance when you book your parent consultation.