Projective Techniques> Impressive

Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses play to help children aged 2–12 express feelings, resolve psychological challenges, and develop coping skills. Play acts as a child's natural medium to communicate, especially when verbal expression is difficult.

• Non-directive (Child-Centered): The child chooses activities freely; the therapist follows the child’s lead, promoting self-discovery and confidence.​
• Directive: The therapist plans specific activities or uses structured games to guide a particular issue or skill-building.

• Toys: Dolls, puppets, blocks, sand trays, balloons, cars, houses.
• Art materials: Clay, crayons, paints, paper.

Use of toys: E.g.,

• Dolls/puppets for acting out family/social situations.
• Clay/sand to model feelings or control.
• Balloons to safely release anger by popping.

• Displacement: Children transfer feelings from real-life to toys/objects (e.g., acting out anger with a toy, not a person).​
• Catharsis: Expressing strong or hidden emotions safely through play (e.g., popping balloons to show frustration).

A child feeling anxious after starting a new school is given free access to dolls and blocks. The child builds a school and uses dolls to act out classroom stories. In the process, the therapist observes the child's worries, helps the child develop coping stories, and shares progress with parents.

• Play therapy uses toys and creative activities for psychological healing.
• Activities can be free (non-directive) or guided (directive).
• Toys and art materials allow children to express emotions that may be hard to verbalize.
• The therapist’s main role: create a safe space, observe, and support positive change.

• Play therapy helps children express emotions and deal with problems through play.
• It can be non-directive (child-led) or directive (therapist-guided).
• It allows emotional release, builds problem-solving skills, and reduces anxiety.
• The process includes assessment, building trust, play activities, and reflection.
• Key concepts include displacement (showing feelings through toys) and catharsis (safely releasing emotions).