Play Therapy
in person for Lubbock, TX and virtually for all of Texas
Play is how children make sense of their world. Play therapy meets children where they are — using the natural language of play to help them process emotions, heal from trauma, and build the skills they need to thrive.
Accepting new clients --- Most Insurances Accepted
IS THIS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Who Is Play Therapy For?
Play therapy is designed for children, typically ages 3–12, though adolescents can also benefit from play-based approaches. It may be right for your child if:
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Your child has experienced trauma, loss, abuse, or a significant life stressor
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They're struggling with big emotions — frequent meltdowns, explosive anger, or intense anxiety
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Their behavior at home or school has changed significantly, or they're acting out in ways you don't understand
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They're withdrawing, becoming clingy, or showing regression (bed-wetting, baby talk) after a stressful event
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They have difficulty expressing themselves in words — even when you can tell something is wrong
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They've experienced a significant transition: divorce, a move, a new sibling, a death in the family
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They've been referred for therapy, but you're concerned that traditional talk therapy won't work for a young child
Children don't process the world the way adults do. Talk therapy wasn't designed for them — play therapy was.
THE APPROACH
How Play Therapy Works
For children, play is not a distraction from serious work — it is the work. Play is how children communicate, process experiences, and make meaning of what happens to them. A child who can't tell you they're scared of being abandoned may play it out repeatedly in the dollhouse. A child who was abused may work through themes of power and safety in their play long before they can articulate what happened. Play therapy creates a safe, structured environment where this natural processing can occur with a trained therapist guiding the experience.
There are two main approaches to play therapy. In non-directive (child-centered) play therapy, the child leads — choosing what to play, how to play it, and when to shift directions. The therapist follows the child's lead, reflecting feelings and tracking play themes without directing the content. This approach is based on the belief that children have an innate drive toward healing when given the right conditions. In directive play therapy, the therapist takes a more active role — introducing specific activities, games, or prompts designed to address particular therapeutic goals. Directive techniques are often used when specific skills need to be taught (emotional regulation, social skills), when trauma processing needs more structure (as in TF-CBT), or when treatment timelines require a more focused approach. At Flatland Counseling, our therapists integrate both approaches based on each child's needs.
A play therapy room is stocked with carefully selected materials: sand tray, art supplies, puppets, dollhouses, building materials, games, and more — each offering different opportunities for expression and processing. Sessions are typically 45–50 minutes. Parents are not usually present in the playroom during sessions, but parent involvement is essential: therapists meet regularly with parents to share observations, themes, and strategies for supporting the child's work at home. Play therapy is not babysitting, and the playroom is not a reward — it is a clinical environment where real therapeutic work happens, even when it looks like playing.
Evidence-Based Care
The Association for Play Therapy recognizes play therapy as an evidence-based treatment, with research supporting its effectiveness for trauma, anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, and more in children ages 3–12.
71% of children receiving play therapy show positive changes — across behavioral, emotional, and social outcomes — according to meta-analyses of play therapy research
THE PROCESS
What to Expect
Step 1: Reach Out
We'll match your child with a play therapist who is the right fit for their age, presenting concerns, and temperament. Let us know what's going on and we'll help you find the best fit.
Step 2: Your First Session
Your therapist will meet with you (without your child) first to gather history and set goals. They'll explain what to expect and how to prepare your child for their first session.
Step 3: Start Making Progress
Progress in play therapy is often gradual and not always linear — but most parents notice real shifts over time: calmer behavior, better emotional expression, fewer meltdowns, and a child who seems more settled in themselves.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
How does "just playing" help my child? -- Play isn't just play for children — it's their primary language for processing experience, working through fears, and making meaning. A trained play therapist observes the themes, patterns, and emotions in a child's play and responds in ways that facilitate healing. Just as talking about a problem helps an adult process it, playing it out helps a child do the same thing — often in ways they couldn't access through words.
Will my child's therapist tell me what happens in sessions? -- In play therapy, the specific content of sessions is generally kept confidential to maintain the therapeutic relationship — children need to know they have a safe space. However, your therapist will meet regularly with you to share general themes, progress observations, and strategies for supporting your child at home. You'll always know whether your child's safety is a concern.
How long does play therapy take? -- There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Children dealing with a specific, recent stressor may see significant progress in 12–16 sessions. Children with complex trauma, developmental concerns, or longstanding behavioral patterns typically need more time. Your therapist will set measurable goals and review progress with you regularly.
Do I need to be in the sessions with my child? -- Most play therapy is conducted one-on-one with the child. However, parent involvement outside the playroom is essential — your therapist will meet with you regularly and may include you in sessions at specific points. For very young children (under 5), sessions often involve the caregiver more directly.
Is play therapy different from just taking my child to a regular therapist? -- Yes — significantly so. Play therapy involves specialized training in child development and play-based approaches that general therapists may not have. It also requires a specially equipped playroom with carefully selected materials. A therapist who does both adult and child therapy in a standard office setting is not the same as a trained play therapist. At Flatland Counseling, our play therapists have specialized training in child and play-based approaches.
Can play therapy help with ADHD? -- Play therapy can be a useful component of treatment for ADHD, particularly for the emotional regulation and social skills challenges that often accompany it. It is typically used in combination with other evidence-based approaches (parent training, behavioral interventions, school supports) rather than as a standalone treatment for ADHD. Your child's therapist will discuss the most appropriate approach for your child's specific profile.
Can play therapy be done via telehealth? -- Modified play therapy approaches can be delivered via telehealth using at-home materials. While a fully equipped playroom provides advantages, many techniques — especially art-based and directive activities — can be adapted effectively for online sessions. We offer telehealth options for families who cannot access in-person sessions.
My child says they don't want to go to therapy. What do I do? -- This is very common. Most children warm up once they discover that therapy isn't a place where they have to talk about hard things — it's a place where they get to play. Your therapist will help you prepare your child in an age-appropriate way and will not force any content. The first session is typically low-pressure and focused on building rapport and exploring the playroom.
How do I get started? -- You can reach out through our contact page or click the Get Started button to request an appointment. Taking that first step is often the hardest part — I'm glad you're here.
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Concerns Play Therapy Addresses
Play therapy is used at Flatland Counseling for a wide range of childhood and adolescent concerns.