How Play Therapy Helps Children Heal From Trauma
When a child experiences a challenging or scary event, it can shake their sense of safety and change how they interact with the world. As a parent, it’s painful to watch your child struggle, whether they’re withdrawing, lashing out, or overwhelmed by emotions they don’t know how to process. You may feel helpless, wondering how to reach them and help them heal.
If your child has been through a scary or difficult experience, you might be asking: How can I help them feel safe again? Maybe they’re more anxious than usual, acting out at school, or avoiding things they once loved. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many parents face this same challenge, and the good news is…there’s hope.
At Bud to Bloom Play Therapy, we use the power of play to help children process and heal from trauma. You may be wondering if this can actually help, and we get it, you want to make sure your child is getting the support they need.
Below, we’ll break down how play therapy works, why it’s so effective, and how it can help your child (and your relationship with them) feel strong and secure again.
What is Play Therapy and Why Does it Work?
Play therapy is a specialized approach where children and teens use toys, art, and the relationship with their therapist to express thoughts and emotions they may not have the words for. For kids, play is like talking, it’s how they process the world around them. When a child has experienced trauma, their ability to communicate and regulate emotions may be disrupted. Play therapy helps bridge that gap, giving them a safe space to work through their experiences.
Through play, children can:
Express emotions safely
Feel power and strength when that may have been taken from them in traumatic moments
Process difficult experiences at their own pace
Learn coping skills and emotional regulation
Rebuild a sense of security and trust through play that can allow them to change the story or make meaning of it
Strengthen their relationship with their parent or caregiver
At Bud to Bloom, our child therapists are trained in trauma-informed approaches that create a safe and supportive space for healing.
Why Can’t My Child Just Talk About It?
As adults, we often feel better after venting to a friend, but even for us talking about something vulnerable can feel hard and like you don’t have the right words. So for kids, words may be even more challenging to come by, especially when they’re dealing with something as overwhelming as trauma. In fact, trauma can affect memory and brain development, making it even harder for children to put their experiences into words.
That’s why play therapy is so powerful. Instead of forcing children to “talk it out,” it allows them to show what they feel. Whether it’s through storytelling, drawing, or using figurines to act out situations, play therapy gives kids a way to process emotions on their own terms.
And it’s not just young children who benefit. Traumatic events can be difficult for older children, teens, and even adults to talk about. Activity-based therapy, such as using sand trays, art, music, or movement can create a safe space for processing without the pressure of direct conversation. These creative mediums help get the story out of their head and into a form where they can explore it, process it and make meaning of it in a way that feels less overwhelming.
How Play Therapy Supports Emotional Healing
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For many children, expressing fear, sadness, or anger is difficult. In play therapy, a child might smash clay to symbolize frustration or use puppets to replay a scary event. These actions provide emotional release and insight into what they’re struggling with. The play can also help the child experience clarity and more understanding around a scary or confusing event.
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Talking about a painful experience can feel overwhelming, but play therapy allows children to work through their trauma in a safe and controlled way. Art, sand tray play, and storytelling help kids make sense of what happened while maintaining a sense of emotional security.
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Trauma can make a child feel powerless. Play therapy helps them regain a sense of control over their world. By making choices in their play, setting up scenarios, or rewriting the ending to difficult experiences, children start to feel empowered again.
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When a child has been through trauma, it can sometimes create emotional distance between them and their parents. You might feel like you’re walking on eggshells, unsure how to comfort them. Play therapy can involve parent-child sessions where a therapist guides playful interactions that rebuild trust, strengthen attachment, and help your child feel emotionally safe again. Through shared play, you can become a source of comfort and security, reinforcing that your child is loved and supported no matter what.
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Children who have experienced trauma often struggle with big reactions to reminders of their past experiences. Play therapy teaches them calming techniques, emotional regulation strategies, and new ways to respond to stressors. This builds resilience and helps them feel more secure in daily life.
What Types of Trauma Can Play Therapy Help With?
Play therapy can be a powerful tool for children who have experienced:
Adoption or foster care transitions
Abuse or neglect
Witnessing violence or scary events
Medical trauma (hospitalization, surgeries)
Loss of a loved one
Bullying or social difficulties
Family changes (divorce, separation)
Each child’s experience is unique, and our trauma-informed therapists tailor sessions to meet their individual needs.
What If My Child Seems Fine? Do They Still Need Therapy?
Not all children show obvious signs of trauma right away. Some kids may act out, while others become extra quiet or overly independent. Even if your child isn’t talking about what happened, they may still need support. Looking out for changes in behavior after a traumatic event is key to ensuring your child is okay. Play therapy provides a space for children to process their experiences before symptoms escalate. If you’re unsure whether your child would benefit from therapy, a consultation with a child therapist can help you decide.
How Do I Know If Play Therapy Is Right for My Child?
If your child is experiencing:
Frequent emotional outbursts
Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
Increased anxiety or clinginess
Trouble focusing in school
Social withdrawal or aggression
Big reactions to small stressors
…play therapy could be a helpful tool in their healing process.
Ready to Support Your Child’s Healing?
You don’t have to navigate this alone. If you’re wondering whether play therapy is the right step for your child, we’re here to help. At Bud to Bloom Play Therapy, our compassionate child therapists specialize in trauma-informed care designed to help children feel safe, understood, and empowered.
Schedule a consultation today to learn how play therapy can support your child’s healing journey. Let’s help them feel safe, secure, and ready to bloom.
