If your child is struggling to connect, regulate big emotions, or trust the people around them, it can feel confusing—and even heartbreaking—to know how to help. Maybe they’ve experienced a difficult transition, like a divorce or a move. Maybe they’ve been through trauma or early loss. Or maybe you’re just noticing they’re pulling away, acting out, or seem emotionally shut down.
At Sunstone Counseling, we work with families every day who are navigating these kinds of questions. One approach that can make a big difference? Attachment -focused play therapy.
Let’s talk about what it is, how it works, and how it can help your child start to feel safe, seen, and connected again.
Looking for support with child emotional bonding or early trauma? Let Sunstone Counseling help through expert-guided play therapy. Reach out to us today.
What Is Attachment, and Why Is It So Important?
You’ve probably heard the phrase “attachment theory” before. In simple terms, it’s the idea that kids need to feel secure in their relationships, especially with caregivers, in order to develop emotionally and socially.
When that attachment is strong, kids learn to trust the world, express their feelings, and build healthy relationships. But when something gets in the way, like trauma, neglect, or too many big life changes, it can disrupt their sense of safety. You might see behaviors like withdrawal, outbursts, trouble sleeping, or anxiety. These are often underlying symptoms of insecure or disrupted attachment.
That’s where attachment centered play therapy comes in.
So, What Exactly Is Attachment-Focused Play Therapy?
Think of attachment-focused play therapy as a blend of two powerful approaches: attachment theory and play therapy. It’sa single intuitive model that uses play, your child’s natural language, to help them process emotions, build trust, and strengthen their child parent relationship.
Instead of jumping straight into “talking it out,” your child is invited into gentle, guided play that creates a safe and supportive environment. It’s not just about behavior—it’s about healing the attachment needs underneath the behavior.
In other words: we’re not just trying to “fix” what’s going wrong. We’re working to repair attachment wounds and rebuild the secure foundation every child needs to thrive.
What Does a Session Look Like?
Here’s where things get really child-friendly. During therapy sessions, your child might:
- Build something with blocks or create a story with figurines
- Play out family dynamics or emotional scenarios using dolls or animals
- Paint, draw, or act out scenes that reflect how they’re feeling
- Engage in parent-child games that foster eye contact, cooperation, and trust
In some cases, we invite caregivers into the room for child and family therapy work. You may play alongside your child while your therapist guides you in responding with warmth and connection—sometimes in the exact moments that have felt challenging at home.
Our goal is to address underlying symptoms by focusing on attachment, not just behavior. This play based approach helps your child feel safe enough to explore difficult emotions while learning new coping skills for everyday life.
When Might This Be a Good Fit?
If your child has experienced:
- Trauma, neglect, or loss
- Adoption or foster transitions
- Behavioral struggles that don’t seem to respond to discipline
- Anxiety, emotional dysregulation, or social withdrawal
- Challenges in bonding with caregivers
…play therapy might be exactly what they need.
This kind of treatment is especially helpful for families navigating parenting challenges that stem from early relational disruptions. Our therapists in Virginia are trained in using evidence based interventions that promote healing—not just symptom management.
Why Parents Are Involved, Too
We know that healing doesn’t happen in isolation. That’s why we often involve parents directly in the therapy process—either through family therapy, caregiver coaching, or co-play.
This isn’t about pointing fingers or saying someone did something “wrong.” It’s about helping you feel more confident, connected, and equipped to meet your child’s emotional needs. We use tools from internal family systems, counseling psychology, and attachment theory to support your journey, too.
Why Sunstone Counseling?
At Sunstone Counseling, we believe that every child deserves to feel secure, understood, and loved. That’s why we offer play therapy as part of our larger child and family therapy services.
Our team includes clinicians with advanced training, graduate degrees, and a deep understanding of attachment patterns, trauma, and emotional development. We take a holistic approach, looking not just at behavior, but at the heart behind it. With compassion and expertise, we’ll help you and your child move forward—together.
Let’s Lighten the Load, Together
If your child is having a tough time and you’re not sure how to help, you’re not alone—and you’re not out of options.
Contact Sunstone Counseling today to learn more about attachment play therapy, and how our team of caring therapists in Virginia can support your child’s healing and your family’s connection.
