Overcoming Trauma Through Play: How Play Therapy Helps Children Heal by Jennifer Eubank LPC-Associate

Play therapy is a powerful tool for helping children heal from trauma because it allows them to process their experiences in a way that feels natural and non-threatening. Children often don't have the language to fully express their emotions or make sense of complex situations, especially when it comes to trauma. In play therapy, toys, art, and imaginative scenarios become the child's voice, providing them with a safe outlet to communicate their inner world.

For a traumatized child, playing out scenarios with dolls, action figures, or in sand trays can help them symbolically express feelings and experiences they can’t yet verbalize. They may recreate scenes from their trauma or explore themes of power, fear, or safety through the stories they enact. The therapist carefully observes these themes, helping the child make sense of their emotions and offering gentle guidance to process these overwhelming experiences.

One of the key benefits of play therapy is that it gives the child control over the narrative. Trauma often leaves children feeling powerless, but in play therapy, they decide what happens next. This sense of control can help restore feelings of safety and agency. Additionally, the act of play provides emotional distance. By playing through difficult situations with toys or figures, the child can confront painful memories indirectly, which feels less intense than talking about them outright.

Over time, play therapy allows the child to process their trauma in manageable ways, building emotional resilience and helping them make sense of what happened to them. As they grow more comfortable expressing their feelings, the therapist can help the child develop healthy coping strategies, fostering emotional regulation and self-trust, which are critical steps in their healing journey.