Big Feelings, Small Voices
Children do not always have the words to explain what they are feeling. Sometimes worry, sadness, anger, grief, trauma, family stress, or school challenges show up as behavior, meltdowns, withdrawal, or difficulty connecting with others. Play therapy gives children a safe and supportive way to express emotions, explore their inner world, and build healthy coping skills through play, creativity, and connection. For children, play is more than fun. It is one of the ways they communicate, process experiences, and make sense of the world around them. In play therapy, the therapist uses play to join the child in their world and support emotional wellness, communication skills, personal strengths, and social relationships.
Play therapy may help children who are experiencing:
- Anxiety or worry
- Sadness or grief
- Anger or emotional outbursts
- Family changes or divorce
- Trauma or stressful experiences
- School or peer challenges
- Difficulty talking about feelings
- Behavioral concerns at home or school
- Trouble with emotional regulation
What to Expect
At the first appointment, the parent or caregiver and child will meet with the therapist together. Paperwork will be completed and the therapist will begin gathering information about the child’s needs, strengths, and concerns. If there is information a parent or caregiver would like to share outside of the child’s presence, a follow-up phone contact may be scheduled. A parent or caregiver will also need to participate in the treatment plan development session and treatment plan reviews. Ongoing parent involvement may vary based on the child’s needs and treatment goals.
How to Get Started
Concerned about your child’s emotions, behavior, coping skills, or connection with others? Talk with your child’s primary care provider about a behavioral health referral. Support is available for children from birth and up. For children ages birth to 3, care focuses on parent support and strengthening attachment between the child and caregiver. For children ages 4 and up, therapy is based on the child’s individual needs and treatment goals.
Meet Maegan Chamberlain, LLMSW
Maegan is a behavioral health therapist specializing in play therapy. She is currently working toward Registered Play Therapist credentialing through the Association for Play Therapy. Her approach uses play, relationship-building, attachment, and interpersonal neurobiology to support emotional regulation, connection, and healthy development. Through play therapy, children can begin to express what they may not yet have the words to explain.
