The Power of Play: How Play Therapy Helps Kids and Families
- Ellen Bird
- Mar 10
- 3 min read
When big feelings get too heavy for little hearts, play can open the door to healing.
At Birdie Counselling, we see firsthand how play therapy helps children and youth work through tough experiences, build confidence, and develop healthier ways of coping. If you're searching for play therapy in Calgary, here's everything you need to know about how it works — and why it might be the support your child needs.
What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a type of therapy that uses play — like art, games, storytelling, and creative expression — as a way for children to communicate and process their feelings. For kids, especially those who struggle to put their emotions into words, play offers a safe and natural way to make sense of their experiences.
Therapists who specialize in play therapy are trained to observe and interpret the themes that come up during play. This allows the therapist to help children process tough emotions, navigate challenges, and develop coping skills — all through the power of play.
Who Can Benefit from Play Therapy?
Many families in Calgary seek play therapy when their child is:
✅ Struggling with big emotions like anger, anxiety, sadness, or grief
✅ Having difficulty adjusting to major life changes like divorce, moving, or a new sibling
✅ Experiencing bullying, social challenges, or low self-esteem
✅ Navigating trauma, loss, or other challenging experiences
✅ Showing behavioural challenges at home, school, or in social settings
In short — any child who seems stuck, overwhelmed, or struggling to cope can often benefit from the gentle, natural approach that play therapy offers.
Why is Play So Powerful?
Play is a child’s natural language. When words feel hard, play speaks. Through toys, art, and imagination, kids can express what’s going on inside — even when they don’t fully understand it themselves.
In play therapy sessions, children often:
🎨 Express their emotions without pressure to "say the right thing"
🏠 Recreate experiences from their life in a safe, controlled environment
🧠 Process difficult events through symbolism and metaphor
💪 Practice new ways of coping, problem-solving, and expressing themselves
For example, a child who witnessed a traumatic event might use toys to "act out" their experience, allowing them to make sense of what happened in a way that feels safe.
What Does Play Therapy Look Like at Birdie Counselling?
At Birdie Counselling, our play therapy sessions are tailored to meet the unique needs of each child. Whether your child prefers drawing, building, storytelling, or imaginative play, we follow their lead and create a space where they feel comfortable and understood.
In a typical session, you might see:
Art materials like markers, clay, and paint
Therapeutic toys like dolls, animal figurines, or a dollhouse
Games and activities that encourage communication and problem-solving
Imaginative play to help process big emotions
Our goal is to help your child feel seen, supported, and empowered. And often, when children experience healing — families do, too.
What Makes Play Therapy Different from Talk Therapy?
Traditional talk therapy often relies on verbal communication — which can be tricky for younger kids who haven’t developed the language to express their inner world. Play therapy, on the other hand, meets children right where they are.
Instead of asking a child to talk about their feelings, we invite them to show us — through play, art, and creative expression.
This approach often leads to:
✅ Faster emotional processing
✅ Increased self-esteem
✅ Better communication skills
✅ Healthier coping strategies
Why Choose Play Therapy in Calgary at Birdie Counselling?
At Birdie Counselling, we specialize in supporting children, youth, and families in Calgary through challenging moments. Our team of therapists understands the unique needs of young minds — and we use evidence-based play therapy techniques to help them feel safe, heard, and supported.
Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, grief, anger, big life changes, or trauma, we're here to help. And because we offer both in-person sessions in Calgary and virtual sessions across Alberta, you can find the support that fits your family's needs.
How to Get Started with Play Therapy in Calgary
If you're curious about whether play therapy is the right fit for your child, we'd love to connect. At Birdie Counselling, we start with a free consultation to get to know your family, answer your questions, and explore how we can support your child’s mental health.
👉 Book a free consultation today or learn more about play therapy in Calgary on our website. Your child’s healing journey can start here — and we'll walk alongside you every step of the way.
✅ Birdie Counselling offers play therapy in Calgary for children, youth, and families. If you're ready to explore how play therapy can support your child, reach out today.
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