top of page

Child Play Therapy

A gentle, developmentally informed space for children to express, explore, and grow

​

Children don’t have the same language adults do — they communicate through play, behaviour, imagination, and emotion. When something feels scary, confusing, overwhelming, or too big to put into words, play becomes one of the safest ways for a child to express what they’re feeling.

​

At Connected Counselling, we offer child-centred, play-based therapy for children under 12 in a calm, welcoming environment designed to help them feel safe and understood. Whether your child is anxious, overwhelmed, acting out, withdrawing, or navigating a major change, therapy gives them a space where their feelings can land softly — and where parents feel supported, too.

When Child Play Therapy Can Help

Child therapy can support children who are experiencing:

  • Anxiety, fears, or excessive worrying

  • Separation anxiety or school-related stress

  • Emotional outbursts, anger, or frustration

  • Grief and loss

  • Family transitions (divorce, blended families, moves)

  • Trauma or overwhelming experiences

  • Low self-confidence or perfectionism

  • Behavioural withdrawal (shutting down, isolating, “quiet sadness”)

  • Sibling conflict or peer challenges

  • Difficulty identifying or expressing feelings

You don’t need to know exactly what’s going on to start therapy. Many parents come in simply because they feel their child “isn’t quite themselves lately.”

If your child is over the age of 12, approach and parent involvement may look different. Check out our Individual Therapy page for more details.

What Child Play Therapy Looks Like

Play therapy sessions are 30–50 minutes, depending on your child’s age, regulation capacity, and comfort level.

During sessions, your child may engage in:

  • Creative play and storytelling

  • Building, drawing, or expressive arts

  • Sensory tools and grounding activities

  • Emotion-identification games

  • Role play or imaginative exploration

  • Regulation and calming techniques tailored to their nervous system

Play allows children to work through emotional experiences at their own pace, in a way that feels safe, natural, and empowering.

Length & Fees

  • 30–50 minute child session: $125–$150

  • Includes a 5–10 minute caregiver check-in

  • Direct billing is available to most major insurance providers

  • Out-of-pocket payments can be paid by debit or credit card.

If you’re unsure which session length is best for your child, we can discuss this during your first appointment or consultation.

Parent Involvement

Parents play a vital role in a child’s healing.
Each appointment includes an optional brief check-in before or after the session where we discuss:

  • How your child has been doing at home or school

  • Emotional or behavioural patterns you’re noticing

  • Strategies to support your child’s regulation

  • Ways to strengthen connection and predictability

  • Any questions, concerns, or updates you have

Therapy works best when caregivers feel informed and supported — and when changes inside the therapy room are reinforced gently at home.

Is My Child Ready for Counselling?

It’s completely normal to wonder.
Most children benefit when:

  • Emotions feel too big for them to manage alone

  • Their behaviour has recently shifted

  • They’re struggling to talk about what’s bothering them

  • School or home dynamics feel stressful

  • They’ve experienced something confusing or overwhelming

You don’t have to make this judgment alone.
During the first session, our therapists will gently assess your child’s comfort, capacity, and needs, and work closely with you to determine the best next steps.

bottom of page