A Guide for Parents

What to Expect from Play Therapy

You Don't Have to Have All the Answers

Many parents come to Sulene not entirely sure whether play therapy is the right step. That uncertainty is completely normal — and it is precisely why the process begins with you, not with your child.

This page is designed to answer the most common questions parents have before they take that first step. If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please don’t hesitate to reach out — Sulene is happy to talk things through before you make any commitment.

How Play Therapy Works — 3 Simple Steps

Step 1

Parent Consultation

The very first appointment is a 60-minute parent consultation — held privately with you, without your child present. This is a structured conversation where Sulene learns about:

Your child’s background and developmental history
The specific concerns or challenges that have prompted you to seek support
Your family’s current context, structure, and dynamics
Your goals and hopes for the therapy process

This session is also an opportunity for you to ask questions, share your concerns, and get a sense of whether you feel comfortable with Sulene’s approach and manner. There is absolutely no obligation to proceed after this session.

Step 2

Your Child's First Play Therapy Session

After the parent consultation, Sulene will recommend a time to meet your child. The first session is gentle and exploratory — it is primarily about building trust and helping your child feel comfortable in the therapy space.

You can help prepare your child by keeping things simple and positive. Sulene recommends language along these lines: “You’re going to meet someone who helps children with their feelings. Her room is full of things to play with, and you get to play for the whole time.” No more explanation than this is usually needed — and Sulene will handle the rest.

Step 3

Ongoing Parent Feedback

Regular parent feedback is built into the process from the beginning. Sulene meets with parents at agreed intervals to discuss:

Your child’s progress and themes emerging in the therapy
What you are observing at home and how things are shifting
Practical strategies for supporting your child between sessions
The overall direction and plan for the therapy

Sulene believes that supporting a child means supporting the whole family. You are not left on the outside of this process — you are an essential part of it.

What Happens in Sessions

Each play therapy session is approximately 50 minutes long and takes place weekly, at a consistent time and day. This consistency is important — children thrive on predictability and routine, and the regularity of sessions builds the sense of safety that makes therapeutic work possible.

During sessions, your child has access to a range of therapeutic materials — sand trays, puppets, art supplies, building blocks, dolls, clay, and more. They are free to play as they wish. Sulene observes, responds, and gently tracks the themes that emerge.

You will not be present in sessions. This is important: children need a space that is entirely their own, where they can express themselves freely without worrying about a parent’s reaction. Sulene will keep you fully informed through regular feedback sessions.

What You Might Notice at Home

As play therapy progresses, many parents notice changes in their child — some immediately positive, and some that can initially feel puzzling. It is common for children to:

Seem more emotional or have more outbursts initially — this often means they are beginning to access feelings that were previously suppressed
Become more talkative or begin to bring up topics they have not raised before
Show improved sleep, reduced anxiety, or fewer emotional meltdowns
Demonstrate more confidence, independence, or social engagement

Sulene will prepare you for what to expect at each stage and give you guidance on how to respond in ways that support your child’s progress.

Confidentiality & Your Child's Privacy

Everything that happens in the therapy room is confidential. Sulene will not share the specific content of your child’s play sessions with you — this confidentiality is essential to the therapeutic relationship and to your child’s trust in the process.

The exception to this is if Sulene has a concern about your child’s safety or the safety of others — in which case she is obligated by professional and legal standards to take appropriate action. She will always communicate this to you clearly and transparently.