When children face emotional challenges, they often lack the words to fully express what they’re feeling. That’s where play therapy comes in—a powerful, evidence-based approach that helps children communicate through their most natural language: play.
At Sunstone Counseling, our practice is dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of children and families in Northern Virginia. We specialize in play therapy in Virginia, offering clients a nurturing environment where kids can build resilience, process big emotions, and grow in confidence. Sunstone Counseling welcomes new clients seeking support for their children’s mental health and well-being.
Give your child the tools to thrive—explore compassionate therapy for kids through play-based counseling at Sunstone Counseling.
Understanding Play Therapy
Play therapy is a specialized approach within child therapy that uses toys, creative expression, and imagination to help children explore their feelings and experiences in a safe and supportive setting. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which relies heavily on verbal expression, play therapy meets children at their developmental level, allowing them to share, experiment, and heal through guided play.
Play therapy sessions are designed to be engaging and are tailored to the unique needs of each child, ensuring that the therapeutic process is both effective and supportive of their individual emotional and psychological development.
How It Works
In a typical play therapy session, a play therapist or team of play therapists facilitates the therapy sessions in a structured yet flexible and supportive environment. The child can engage in symbolic play, including activities such as art, drawing, building, role-playing, storytelling, or working with puppets. These activities help children with communicating and expressing themselves, especially when their language skills are still developing. Throughout the sessions, the play therapist observes themes, behavior, and behavior patterns, gently guiding the child to process emotions, gain insights, and develop new behavior patterns. The therapist also helps the child with emotional awareness, behavioral regulation, and problem-solving.
Play therapy helps children resolve conflicts, find solutions to concerns, and make sense of difficult experiences at their own pace. The supportive environment allows children to act out their feelings and behaviors, which helps the therapist identify behavior patterns and address any difficulty the child may be experiencing.
Research shows that child counseling using play techniques can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral issues. It’s particularly effective for children navigating:
- Family changes such as divorce or relocation
- Grief and loss
- Social or school-related challenges
- Big life transitions or emotional overwhelm
- Trauma or past negative experiences
The Science Behind It
Play therapy is rooted in psychological and developmental research and is recognized as an effective treatment that can facilitate healing and promote self-awareness in children. The brain processes emotional experiences differently in childhood than in adulthood, and play allows access to those emotions without requiring advanced vocabulary or self-reflection. This approach is informed by theories from child development, attachment, cognitive-behavioral frameworks, and neuroscience, all of which contribute to the healing process and support emotional growth.
Early intervention is key. By addressing emotional challenges in a developmentally appropriate way, therapy for kids helps facilitate healing, enhance self-awareness, and prevent future struggles, building a foundation for lifelong emotional health.
What to Expect at Sunstone Counseling
At Sunstone Counseling, we tailor our approach to the needs of each child and family. We are dedicated to supporting individuals and treating each person as unique, recognizing that every child and family brings their own story and strengths. Our experienced therapists hold specialized training in play therapy and use a combination of child-led and therapist-directed methods to help children feel safe, seen, and supported. Building a trusting relationship between the play therapist, the child, and the family is central to our work, as it fosters a safe environment for growth and healing.
Parents are included in the process through regular communication and guidance. We believe that a strong therapeutic alliance between family and provider creates the best outcomes.
Why Early Support Matters
Children who receive counseling early are more likely to develop:
- Strong emotional regulation skills
- Healthy communication habits
- Increased self-esteem
- Improved relationships at home and school
Play therapy is beneficial for children of all ages and can positively impact the lives of both children and adults, supporting growth and well-being across different life stages.
More importantly, they gain a safe space to feel heard and understood—no matter how big their emotions may seem.
Help Your Child Thrive
If your child is struggling with emotional regulation, behavioral issues, or life transitions, play therapy may be the gentle, effective solution you’ve been looking for. Sunstone Counseling is accepting new clients and offers a specialized approach to child play therapy. Our play therapy can help children dealing with traumatic events, supporting their healing and emotional growth.
Contact Sunstone Counseling today to learn more about our expert play therapy in Virginia and how we can support your family with compassionate, customized therapy for kids.
