FAQ
What is Play Therapy?
For children, play is their natural language—the way they express thoughts, process emotions, and connect with the world around them. Through play, children explore their feelings, develop a sense of self, and build important life skills.
The therapeutic hour for child and play therapy, individual sessions ($195) are typically 45 minutes whereas parent sessions ($215) typically are held for 50 minutes.
Sheila Wessels Therapy offers limited sliding scale spots. Please reach out to us if you would like to receive services under a sliding scale so we can discuss our availability.
Sheila Wessels Therapy provides self-pay services only to allow for increased autonomy and confidentiality of services. But, depending on your individual coverage, you may qualify for out-of-network benefits. I am able to provide medically-coded receipts for clients who wish to file for reimbursement with their own insurance companies. Please check with your insurance carrier for details about your specific coverage.
Play is more than just fun—it’s essential to healthy development and emotional well-being. Mental health experts have increasingly recognized play as a core part of what makes us human, just as vital as love and work (Schaefer, 1993). Throughout history, great thinkers like Plato and Aristotle have emphasized the deep value of play in shaping who we are.
For children, play is their natural language—the way they express thoughts, process emotions, and connect with the world around them. Through play, children explore their feelings, develop a sense of self, and build important life skills. It fosters creativity, emotional regulation, confidence, and resilience (Landreth, 2002). Play also reduces stress, strengthens relationships, and opens the door to learning in meaningful, lasting ways (Russ, 2004).
A step-by-step overview for parents
1. The Playroom is the Child’s Space
A specially designed room with toys, art supplies, and activities that help children express themselves safely and naturally.
2. Toys Become Words
Children use play to show their feelings, thoughts, and experiences when they may not have the words to say them.
3. The Therapist Builds Trust
A trained therapist creates a warm, accepting relationship where the child feels safe, seen, and heard.
4. Healing Through Play
Children work through fears, frustrations, and challenges—often without even realizing it—through guided play, art, and creative expression.
5. Growth Over Time
With consistency, children gain emotional insight, improve behavior, build confidence, and develop healthier ways of coping and connecting.
Play therapy is most effective for children between the ages of 3 and 12, but its techniques can benefit people of all ages. If your child is having a hard time expressing emotions, adjusting to changes, or managing behavior, play therapy can provide a safe, age-appropriate way to work through those challenges.
What about teens or toddlers?
- Teens may benefit from adapted play and creative therapies that blend conversation with expressive activities.
- Toddlers and infants can also benefit from early, developmentally tailored play-based interventions that support emotional bonding and regulation.
Play therapy meets children where they are—through play, they can explore big feelings, build coping skills, and gain confidence in a way that feels safe and natural.
Play therapy sessions typically last 45 to 50 minutes and are held once a week. The number of sessions needed can vary depending on the child and the challenges they’re facing. On average, it takes about 20 sessions for most children to see meaningful progress (Carmichael, 2006; Landreth, 2002). Some children may show improvement sooner, while others dealing with more complex or ongoing issues may benefit from a longer course of therapy. Every child is unique, and the process moves at a pace that’s right for them.
Play therapy is provided by licensed mental health professionals who have received specialized training in play therapy techniques. These therapists typically hold a Master’s or Doctorate degree in a mental health field and have experience working with children and families in clinical settings.
Many play therapists go on to earn advanced credentials such as Registered Play Therapist (RPT), Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S), or School-Based Registered Play Therapist (SB-RPT) through the Association for Play Therapy (APT). These credentials reflect additional training, supervision, and expertise in using play as a therapeutic tool to support children’s emotional and developmental needs.
