Would Play Therapy Help My Child?
Choosing a therapist for your child can feel overwhelming and high-stakes. You might be wondering what happens in play therapy, whether your child will actually talk about their feelings, or if therapy is the right next step for your family.
At Bud to Bloom Play Therapy, we believe children don’t need to use their words to begin healing or coping. They already have a language that comes naturally: play!
As Bud to Bloom’s newest play therapist in training, I'm honored to join a team that shares my belief that play is one of the most effective ways to help children process difficult experiences, build confidence and self-esteem, and strengthen emotional regulation.
Whether your child is struggling with anxiety and big worries, trauma, ADHD, low self-esteem, or big life transitions, our St. Louis child-centered play therapy creates a space where they can explore who they are and develop tools they need to bloom and thrive.
Why is Play Therapy So Effective?
Children experience the world differently than adults. While adults often process experiences through conversation, children more often communicate through behavior, imagination, creativity, and play. During play therapy, “toys become words” and creative expression becomes an opportunity for healing and connection.
Rather than asking kiddos to explain feelings they don’t yet understand, child-centered play therapy allows them to work through emotions in ways that feel natural and empowering. Over time, many children begin to:
Build confidence and independence
Develop healthy emotional regulation skills
Process trauma and difficult life-experiences
Improve self-esteem
Strengthen relationships with caregivers and parents
Feel more capable of handling everyday challenges
My Approach to Child-Centered Play Therapy
I use a child-centered play therapy approach, which means your child leads the therapeutic process. Inside the playroom, children choose how they play while I provide a safe, accepting relationship where they can explore emotions, solve problems, test limits, and discover their own strengths. By giving children ownership over their play, they learn something incredibly important: “I am capable.”
One of my favorite parts of this work is watching children become more confident as they begin trusting themselves. The playroom becomes a place where they take healthy risks, express emotions without judgment, and discover that they already have many strengths and skills!
I also believe therapy should include joy. I love to be silly and goofy with my kiddos, because healing doesn’t always have to feel heavy. Laughter, imagination, and connection are powerful parts of the therapeutic process.
Supporting the Whole Family
Children don’t grow in isolation, which is why we know that parents and caregivers are an essential part of therapy.
Throughout our work together, I meet regularly with parents to provide support, answer questions, and help make sense of big behaviors, emotional outbursts, or tricky transitions. Together, we explore what’s underneath your child’s behavior while building practical strategies that strengthen connection at home.
My hope is that families leave therapy feeling less alone, more confident, and more connected.
Who I Work With
I enjoy working with children ages 6-14 who may be experiencing:
Anxiety and excessive worries
Trauma or difficult life experiences (learn more about child therapy for trauma here)
ADHD and executive functioning challenges
Emotional regulation difficulties
Low self-esteem
Big behaviors
Family or school transitions
Every child is different, and therapy is always tailored to meet each kiddo and family where they are while honoring their unique personality, interests, and strengths.
Why I Became a Play Therapist
I’ve always been fascinated by how people grow into who they become. As I studied psychology, I realized the impact of relationships, attachment, and childhood experiences have on emotional development.
That passion led me to earn my Master of Social Work from Saint Louis University, where I had the opportunity to work with children in a variety of school settings. Again and again, I found myself drawn to children’s incredible creativity, resilience, and honesty. I love stepping into their world, understanding what they’re trying to communicate, and helping them discover that they’re worthy, capable, and deeply valued.
Helping children build confidence today lays the foundation for healthier, more resilient adults.
A Little About Me
Outside of the therapy room, I love finding ways to play in my own life. I’m a proud dog mom of two perfect babies. Even though I grew up in St. Louis, I still find new things to explore in this cool city. I also enjoy video games and can talk your ear off about board games! You’ll often find me reading through my ever-growing stack of book recommendations, trying new creative hobbies, or spending time with friends playing board games, video games, kickball, or simply being goofy together.
Creativity has always been a big part of who I am. I’ve experimented with painting, crochet, sewing, writing, resin art, singing, and plenty of other projects over the years! Play has been incredibly meaningful to me, and that’s one reason I’m so passionate about helping children discover the confidence, joy, and healing that can happen when they’re given the freedom to play.
Looking for Play Therapy in St. Louis?
If you’re wondering whether play therapy could help your child, we’d love to talk with you. At Bud to Bloom Play Therapy, we believe every child deserves a safe place to express themselves, build confidence, and grow into the person they’re meant to become. If you’d like to learn more about child-centered play therapy or schedule an appointment, we’re here to help your family take the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is play therapy best for?
Play therapy has the most research support for children ages 3-13. More studies are showing it also helps younger children and teens. Our St. Louis play therapists are especially trained to work with kids and teens from 0-18. We use creative, age-appropriate approaches to help each child feel understood, build coping skills, and grow with confidence. Getting support early can help children build strong emotional health for the future.
How long are kids in play therapy?
Every child is different, so there isn’t a set timeline for therapy. Some children benefit from short-term counseling around a specific challenge, while others work with a play therapist for several months or years as they build new skills and process more complex experiences. At Bud to Bloom Play Therapy, we regularly check in on your child’s progress and adjust goals together. Our hope is always to provide the support your child needs while helping your family feel confident continuing that growth beyond therapy.
What’s the difference between play therapy and regular counseling?
Traditional adult counseling relies heavily on spoken discussion. Young children and even teens often haven’t developed the language skills to explain complex emotions (which is normal). Play therapy meets children at their developmental level by allowing them to communicate through toys, art, storytelling, and imagination. This makes pediatric play therapy far more effective for younger kids than talk therapy.
Meet the Author: Lexi Bratton
Lexi Bratton is a St. Louis child therapist and play therapist in training. She works with children 3-14 and brings a creative, goofy, and caring presence to her work at Bud to Bloom.
Bud to Bloom Play Therapy brings hope for children with big feelings and big behaviors, supporting the whole family in the process.
We’re located in St. Louis, Missouri.
