A Brief History of Play Therapy (and Why It’s Still Used Today)

When parents first hear about Play Therapy, one of the most common questions is, “How does this actually help?”

It’s a fair question. From the outside, it can look like a child is simply playing. But Play Therapy has a long history, and it developed for a very specific reason, children don’t process their world in the same way adults do.

Understanding where Play Therapy comes from can help make sense of why it’s still used today, and why it can be such a good fit for children.

Why play became part of therapy

In the early 1900s, therapists began to notice something important.

When adults came to therapy, they could talk about their thoughts and feelings. They could reflect, explain, and make sense of their experiences through conversation.

Children couldn’t do this in the same way.

Not because they didn’t have thoughts or feelings, but because they didn’t yet have the language or cognitive skills to express them clearly.

Instead, children communicated through play.

Early psychologists such as Melanie Klein and Anna Freud began using play in therapy sessions. They noticed that children would express emotions, relationships, and experiences symbolically through play, often in ways they couldn’t explain in words.

This was one of the first steps toward what we now know as Play Therapy.

A shift toward relationship-based therapy

Later, the work of Carl Rogers changed how therapy was understood more broadly. Rogers believed that people grow and change within safe, accepting relationships, not through being told what to do, but through being understood.

Virginia Axline applied these ideas to children and developed child-centred Play Therapy.

In this approach, the therapist follows the child’s lead in play, rather than directing them. The focus is on creating a safe, attuned relationship where the child can explore, express, and make sense of their experiences in their own way.

From the outside, this can look simple. But internally, children are often working through emotions, experiences, and patterns in a way that fits their development.

Different ways Play Therapy can look

Over time, Play Therapy has continued to evolve, and there is now more than one way it can be practiced.

You might hear about non-directive (child-centred) and directive approaches:

Child-centred (non-directive) Play Therapy

In this approach, the child leads the play and the therapist follows.

The focus is on:

• emotional expression

• feeling understood and accepted

• working through experiences at the child’s pace

This can be especially helpful when a child needs space to process feelings, build safety, or make sense of their experiences.

Directive Play Therapy

In more directive approaches, the therapist is a bit more active within the play.

They may gently:

• introduce new ideas

• support the child to stay engaged

• build flexibility or social skills

• help expand play

This is often helpful when a child needs support building specific developmental skills, such as attention, flexible thinking, or interaction with others.

Most therapists use a blend

In practice, many Play Therapists use a combination of both approaches, depending on the child.

Some children need more space and relationship-based support. Others benefit from more guided, skill-building experiences within play. Often, it’s not one or the other, it’s a balance.

What does the research say?

Over time, researchers have studied Play Therapy to better understand whether it is effective.

Across many studies, Play Therapy has been found to support:

• emotional regulation

• anxiety and distress

• behaviour

• social skills and relationships

• confidence and engagement

Large reviews of the research, called meta-analyses, have found positive effects overall. For example, research by Bratton and colleagues (2005) and later Lin and Bratton (2015) looked at many studies together and found that children receiving Play Therapy showed meaningful improvements across emotional and behavioural areas.

It’s important to say that Play Therapy is not a quick fix. Like most therapies, progress takes time and depends on the child and their circumstances. But overall, the research suggests it can be an effective way of supporting children.

Play Therapy around the world

Play Therapy is well established in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom.

In the United States, organisations such as the Association for Play Therapy have developed training standards, research frameworks, and professional recognition pathways. In the UK, Play Therapy is also widely used, including in schools and community settings.

In these countries, Play Therapy is generally recognised as a valid, evidence-informed way of supporting children’s mental health and development.

Play Therapy in Australia

In Australia, Play Therapy is still growing as a field.

It has been practiced here for many years, but it is not yet as widely recognised as some other therapies. This can sometimes make it feel unfamiliar for parents, especially when comparing it to therapies that are more commonly talked about.

At the same time, awareness is increasing. More therapists are training in Play Therapy, and there is growing recognition of the importance of developmentally appropriate, relationship-based approaches for children.

Why Play Therapy is still used today

Even though Play Therapy has been around for a long time, it continues to be relevant.

That’s because children are still developing in the same fundamental ways, through relationships, experiences, and play.

What has changed is our understanding of:

• brain development

• emotional regulation

• neurodivergence

• the impact of stress and life experiences

Play Therapy fits closely with this understanding. It supports children in a way that matches how they naturally learn and process their world.

What this means for parents

Play Therapy can feel different from what many parents expect therapy to look like.

It is less about sitting and talking, and more about supporting children through play, relationship, and experience.

It also recognises that children don’t need to be able to explain what’s going on in order to be supported.

Looking for Play Therapy on the Sunshine Coast?

At Head and Heart Child and Family Play Therapy, support is tailored to each child’s individual needs, combining relationship-based and developmentally informed approaches.

If you’re wondering whether Play Therapy might be a good fit for your child, you’re welcome to get in touch for a complimentary 15-minute phone call.