Play Based Therapy in Calgary

Play-Based Therapy is a child-focused approach that uses play as a natural method for emotional growth, healing, and communication.

Wait… Play-based therapy? Isn’t that just playing?

We get it. It sounds like your child is just playing with toys while someone watches. But here’s the truth: play is how kids “talk” about what is going on with them. It’s how they process big feelings, traumatic events, make sense of the world, and figure things out – especially when words are hard to find. At Conscientia Counselling in Calgary, we have a trained Play therapist with credentials from the Rocky Mountain Play Therapy Institute. She works with children ages 4 to 12.

Book a FREE 30 minute consultation with Thalita Amado

So what actually happens?

Our trained Therapeutic Play Therapist uses play to help your child feel safe, seen, and understood. It’s not random – every toy, game, and activity is chosen with care. Through play, kids show what’s going on for them both emotionally and physically, and the therapist helps them work through it.

Why it works (even if it looks like just fun)

Kids don’t need to “talk it out” – they play it out
It helps with anxiety, anger, and big emotions
Builds confidence, problem-solving, and emotional skills
Supports healing after tough experiences (like divorce, loss, or trauma)
Strengthens relationships and communication

What the child therapist might see in a session?

Through playing with dolls, blocks, or art supplies, the child might be recreating what happened to them.
Creating stories or scenes that reflect their inner world and how they feel.
Acting things out with puppets or role play to communicate what they need.
Drawing or building, then destroying everything to show how they are feeling.
Development in emotional vocabulary that allows the child identify and manage their feelings and engage in self-regulation.

How do I Know if Therapeutic Play is right for my child?

Have you asked yourself any of these questions? If you have, book a 30 min free consultation with Thalita Amado

FAQs

How do I know if my child needs therapy or if this is just a phase?

Parents often wonder whether their child’s emotional or behavioural changes are developmentally normal. Therapeutic play is helpful if difficulties are persistent, intense, or interfering with daily life at home, school, or in relationships. If you are still in doubt, talking to an accredited professional might be a good idea. Most offer free consultations.

My child won’t talk about their feelings, can therapy still help?

Yes. Many children do not yet have the language to express what they are experiencing. Therapeutic play allows children to communicate through play, art, and movement, which are natural and effective ways for them to process emotions.

How involved are parents in play therapy?

Parental involvement is an important part of the process. Depending on your child’s needs, parents may participate in sessions, receive regular updates, and learn strategies to support emotional regulation and connection at home. Your child’s therapist will discuss with you the structure of their work and will share suggestions on paths to follow.

How long does play therapy usually take to work?

The length of therapy varies depending on the child’s needs, the nature of the concern, and family involvement. Some children show changes within a few sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support to build emotional regulation and coping skills.

Is play therapy evidence-based?

Yes. Therapeutic play is a well-researched, evidence-based approach in child therapy. It is grounded in developmental psychology and neuroscience, recognizing that children process experiences through play rather than through verbal discussion alone.

Do children enjoy play therapy, or will they resist going?

Most children experience play therapy as a safe and welcoming space. Because sessions are play-based and child-centered, resistance is often lower than in traditional talk therapy, especially for younger children.