Play Therapy

Children often communicate and make sense of their experiences through play. Play therapy gives children a safe, developmentally responsive space to express themselves, explore challenges, and build emotional and coping skills in ways that feel natural to them.

Through play, children can communicate feelings and experiences that may be difficult to put into words. In the playroom, they have the freedom to explore their inner world at their own pace while developing greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience.

Is Play Therapy Right for My Child?

Play therapy can be a good fit for children who are having a difficult time expressing their emotions, navigating changes or transitions, managing big feelings, or adjusting to challenges at home, school, or in their relationships. It can also provide a supportive space for children who may not have the words to fully explain what they are experiencing.

As children move beyond the typical age range for play, we can talk together about where your child is developmentally and what approach may be the best fit. For older children and young adolescents, therapy may incorporate play-based activities alongside expressive and creative approaches, while also making room for more age-appropriate conversation and reflection.

The goal is not to fit every child into the same approach, but to meet your child where they are. If you're wondering whether play therapy is appropriate for your child, we can talk through your child's individual needs, developmental stage, and goals during a consultation.

What to Expect From Play Therapy With Me

At the heart of my work with children is the belief that children grow best when they feel safe, understood, and accepted. I create a warm, accepting playroom where children can explore and express themselves in ways that feel natural to them.

Through play, children may have opportunities to:

Express and explore emotions and experiences
Develop greater self-awareness
Build emotional regulation and coping skills
Strengthen confidence and resilience
Explore problem-solving and new ways of responding

Rather than directing children toward a particular outcome, I follow their lead within a safe and consistent therapeutic environment. This allows us to understand what they are communicating through their play and support their growth at a pace that is appropriate for them.

Caregiver Collaboration

Parents and caregivers are an important part of a child's therapeutic process. While the individual play therapy sessions provide children with their own space to explore, I also collaborate with caregivers throughout treatment.

Regular caregiver check-ins provide opportunities to:

Share themes, changes, or progress you may be noticing at home
Talk through parenting challenges and questions
Explore ways to support your child's emotional growth outside of sessions
Discuss treatment progress and determine whether adjustments are needed

For caregivers who want to deepen their relationship with their child beyond individual therapy, I also offer Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT). CPRT provides caregivers with a structured framework for strengthening connection, improving communication, and responding to children's emotional needs.

How Long Does Play Therapy Take?

Play therapy sessions are typically scheduled once a week for 45–50 minutes.

Every child and family is different, so the length of treatment will depend on your child's needs, goals, circumstances, and progress. Research suggests that meaningful changes can begin to emerge around 12 sessions, while more lasting changes may develop over a longer course of treatment.

Rather than choosing a predetermined number of sessions, we will regularly discuss your child's progress during caregiver check-ins and work together to determine what level and length of support is appropriate.

My Play Therapy Training

My primary play therapy approach is Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), a developmentally responsive, evidence-based approach that uses children's natural language of play to support emotional growth and healing. I have specialized training in CCPT and am continuing to deepen my training in this approach as I work toward certification and my Registered Play Therapist (RPT) credential.

I also have specialized training in Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), a structured approach that helps caregivers strengthen their relationships with their children. CPRT informs the caregiver support I provide alongside play therapy and is also the foundation for my parenting groups.

I am currently practicing under supervision as I work toward my RPT credential and continue to expand my training in play therapy approaches. As my training develops, I may incorporate additional approaches when they are appropriate for a child's individual needs and goals.

What Is Child-Centered Play Therapy?

Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is an evidence-based, developmentally responsive approach that uses children's natural language of play to support emotional growth and healing. Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is a developmentally responsive, evidence-based approach that uses play as a child's natural way of expressing, exploring, and making sense of their experiences. CCPT is particularly well suited to children ages 3–10, when play remains an important and natural form of communication and exploration.

In CCPT, the therapist creates a safe, consistent environment where children are free to explore their feelings and experiences through play. Rather than directing the play or teaching children how they should respond, the therapist follows the child's lead and uses the therapeutic relationship to support self-regulation, problem-solving, confidence, and emotional resilience.

While ages 3–10 are the typical range for CCPT, children develop at different rates. As children move beyond this age range, we can talk together about what approach best fits their individual needs. For older children and young adolescents, therapy may incorporate play-based activities alongside expressive and creative approaches, while also making room for more age-appropriate conversation and reflection.

Play Therapy Space

My playroom is designed to provide children with a warm, welcoming space where they can explore, create, and express themselves through play.

Photos of play space coming soon!

Want to Learn More?

If you're considering play therapy for your child, these resources can help you learn more about play therapy, Child-Centered Play Therapy, and the research behind this approach.

Association for Play Therapy - Parent's Corner

Intro to Play & CCPT for Parents & Children

Evidence-Based Child Therapy Research Database

Ready to Talk?

Interested in exploring whether play therapy with me might be a good fit for your family? Reach out for a consultation.

Office phone: (770)468-3326 ext. 118

Email: marissa@wearebackontrack.com

Play sessions are available at our office in Tyrone.

Back on Track- Tyrone

1015 Tyrone Rd #710, Tyrone, GA 30290

General Availability:

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays

In-Network with:

Aetna, Anthem BCBS, and Cigna

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