What to Expect from Play Therapy in Houston

What to expect from Play Therapy in Houston

When your child needs play therapy, it can be hard to know what to expect, especially in a city the size of Houston.  You have found a few Houston play therapists that seem nice enough, but you have a ton of questions about what to expect--that’s normal. 

You know you want your little one to get better, but you’re not sure exactly how that is going to happen when they’re in child counseling. We’re here to let you know a little more about what to expect about play therapy.

What IS Play Therapy?

We’re glad you asked! Play therapy gives kids a way to get better like talk therapy does for adults. When we’re older, it’s easier to sit down with someone and tell them about what’s bothering us. It’s not always that easy for children. But playing? They can do that! Trained play therapists know how to provide the right space and support for kids to play out what’s bothering them, make sense of things going on in their lives, and find solutions to their problems. It sounds simple, but it’s a powerful, research-backed way to get help for your child.

What aged children benefit from play therapy?

Generally, children who are between two and ten do well in play therapy. When they’re little, they don’t need to be able to talk out their problems at all--play therapists are there to help them as they play. As kids get older, it’s common for them to talk a bit more, but some prefer play. It can be easier and more comfortable, and that helps them like it more. Family play therapy works for all ages and gives even really little children a voice in the process.

How do we get started with a Houston play therapist?

Houston has a number of therapists who specialize in helping kids by providing developmentally appropriate play therapy. You can find them online, by asking your pediatrician, looking at the Association for Play Therapy website for Registered Play Therapists or by asking friends or family. Call or email them and ask the questions you have. It’s important for you to feel like they’re a good fit. Most child counselors also want to be sure that their practice is the right one for your family. 

If you like them, make an appointment. They’ll find out what’s going on with you and your child and recommend the child or family counseling they think will help.

How do I tell my child about play therapy?

We are so glad you asked! Children deserve to know what’s happening. You can tell them you found someone called a play therapist to help with the things that are hard right now. It will be someone who will be there just for them and can listen to and play with them.

How do I know if play therapy is helping my child?

Your play therapist wants your child to get better and will probably check in with you to find out if the problems you had when you found the therapy practice are getting better. Your child’s counselor can help you understand the ways you know if the therapy is working--your child might be sleeping better, tantruming less, having better days at school, and just seem calmer and happier. You know your child best, so what you see can help their therapist know how they’re doing outside of sessions.

Is Play Therapy Enough?

Your child will do better if you support what’s happening outside the play sessions. Their play therapist can give you recommendations about how to help them every day. We tell parents that ninety percent of the value they’ll get from your child’s therapy will come from how well they follow our recommendations. We offer parent classes to give families a leg up on the best skills to know and use with their children.

When can my child stop play therapy?

You and your child’s play therapist can decide when things have improved enough to talk about ending child counseling. Usually, your child’s problems have decreased enough so that they’re able to most things well--school, home, and extracurricular activities are going well, and they’re happy more often than not. Remember: they don’t have to be perfect!! None of us are. But if they’re doing okay and better, it’s time to think about wrapping up.

Please make a plan with your child’s counselor about how to wind up and say goodbye. Your child has learned to trust their therapist and they have worked hard in their play sessions. Being able to understand that they’ve improved, that their therapy is ending, and that they are saying goodbye to their play therapist is SO IMPORTANT, and something parents often want to skip (because they can worry that their child will be sad or won’t really understand). But saying goodbye is an important part of the process. Your child’s play therapist will help you.

Still have questions about what to expect from play therapy?

We hope this helps you understand more about what to expect from your child’s Houston play therapist. If you’re still feeling like you have questions, give us a call at (713) 936-0633 for a free 15-minute phone consultation. We are happy to hear about what is happening and help direct you to the right person.