Therapy with Kids: Play Is Serious Business

Written By: Piper Linssen, Clinical Intern Therapist

Parent: “You mean you just play Uno in your therapy sessions?!?”

Yes... and it’s way more than it looks. On the surface, sessions might look like a quick

game of Checkers or Yahtzee, or a silly art project. But behind every roll of the dice and

every brushstroke, your child’s therapist is paying close attention, learning how the child

thinks, reacts, and interacts. Therapy with children isn’t always about big

breakthroughs, but through play, kids can grow and transform in meaningful ways.

Therapists recognize that children express themselves differently than adults, and it’s

their job, as well as the parents’, to meet the child where they are, because, well... they

are a kid.

Kids often show their thoughts and feelings through actions and play rather than words

alone. That’s why games and movement are such powerful tools in therapy. Take Uno,

for example. While it might seem like just a game, therapists are quietly observing who

waits patiently, who struggles with losing, who tries to bend the rules, and who

celebrates successes. Each of these moments gives insight into emotional regulation,

social skills, problem-solving, and coping strategies. The best part? To the child, it’s just

a game. They are simply having fun and unaware that they are also showing us so much

about how they think and feel.

Art works in a similar way for kids and teens. Drawing, painting, or building gives young

clients a way to express feelings that might be hard to put into words. Art can feel safer

than talking and allows kids and teens to explore emotions, make choices, and

problem-solve in a low-pressure way. It also gives therapists insight into how a client

approaches tasks, handles frustration, and expresses creativity. To the child or teen, it’s

just a fun project. To the therapist, it’s another meaningful window into how that young

person experiences the world.

One of the most rewarding parts of working with kids and teens in therapy is watching

the relationship build and strengthen. When a child feels that an adult is genuinely

interested in their thoughts, feelings, and ideas, it makes a huge difference. In therapy,

kids and teens get the rare gift of undivided attention from someone who truly cares and

wants to support them. They notice when adults are fully present, and that sense of

being seen and valued helps them feel safe enough and worthy enough to acknowledge

their challenges, take healthy steps toward progress, and work toward their goals. At its

core, what children really want is simple: attention and love. Showing up consistently

and meeting them where they are helps them flourish in ways that go far beyond any

single game or art project.

In short, what might look like just play is actually a carefully guided process that helps

children and teens learn about themselves, their emotions, and how to navigate the

world. In therapy, play is not just play. It is serious business.