Stages of Play Therapy:
A Simple Guide for Parents
Play therapy is a well-established and research-supported approach to helping children work through emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges. Because children often do not yet have the words or brain development to explain complex feelings, play becomes their natural language.
Through play, children express thoughts, emotions, and experiences in ways that feel safe and developmentally appropriate. Across all play therapy approaches, the goal is the same: to help children feel understood, build healthy coping skills, and experience meaningful emotional healing in a way that fits how children naturally grow and communicate.
Play therapy often moves through several stages. These stages are generally sequential, meaning they usually happen in order. However, not every child goes through every stage, and some children may move back and forth between stages. This is normal and part of the healing process. Every child’s timeline is different.
1. Intake & Assessment
Purpose: Understanding your child
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You’ll meet with the play therapist first.
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You’ll be asked about:
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Your child’s early development
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Current behaviors and emotions
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Concerns that brought you to therapy
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Be open and honest—this helps the therapist create the best plan.
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Your child may also meet with the therapist separately so they feel comfortable.
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Some therapists use simple assessments to learn more. This may include: Parent questionnaires, Drawings or play observations, Child questionnaires or activities. These help track progress over time.
The therapist learns what your child needs and how to help.
2. Introduction Phase
Purpose: Building safety and comfort
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First few sessions.
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Your child gets used to:
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The therapist
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The playroom
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The therapy routine
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Shy or anxious children may struggle at first.
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How you can help: Encourage your child and stay positive.
Your child is learning that therapy is a safe place.
3. Tentative Acceptance Phase
Purpose: Growing trust
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Your child begins to feel comfortable.
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They may:
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Look forward to sessions
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Enter the playroom willingly
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This is often an easier stage for parents.
Your child begins to trust the therapist and the process.
4. Negative Reaction Phase
Purpose: Adjusting to change
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Change can feel uncomfortable.
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Some children may:
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Act out more
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Resist going to therapy
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Seem “worse” before getting better
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This is normal and temporary.
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How you can help: Stay calm, supportive, and confident in the process.
Change can feel hard before it feels better.
5. Growing Phase
Purpose: Healing and skill-building
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This is the longest and most important stage.
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Your child:
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Gains insight
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Learns new ways to cope
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Becomes more emotionally healthy
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Progress may go up and down.
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Setbacks are normal.
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Tip for parents: Celebrate progress and don’t panic over occasional slips.
Real growth is happening, even when it feels uneven.
6. Termination Phase (Ending Therapy)
Purpose: Preparing for independence
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Therapy ends when your child is stable and doing well.
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This can be emotional for children.
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Some may show temporary setbacks.
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How you can help: Reassure your child and celebrate their growth.
Your child is ready to use their skills without regular therapy.
Important Things for Parents to Know
- Stages are not rigid and do not follow a strict timeline.
- Children may:
- Skip stages
- Move quickly through some
- Return briefly to earlier stages
- Progress is rarely a straight line.
Your Role as a Parent
Share updates with the therapist.
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Notice changes—good or challenging.
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You may be invited to join some sessions.
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Support your child between sessions using the therapist’s guidance.
You are a key part of your child’s healing. Play therapy works best when parents and therapists work together.
*This article is a simplified summary adapted from “Stages in Play Therapy” by Kevin O’Connor, PhD, ABPP, RPT-S.
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