Play Therapy in Michigan | Counseling & Psychology

Play therapy is a way for children to share feelings and worries through play, art, and stories. If your child is melting down, shutting down, or acting “not like themselves,” it can be hard to know what to do next. Play Therapy in Michigan can help kids feel safer inside and learn healthier ways to cope. It is often a good fit for children who do not have the words yet for big feelings.

Signs You Might Benefit

Kids often show stress through behavior, sleep, or body complaints. Play therapy can help your child understand what is happening and practice new skills in a gentle way. It can also help parents feel less stuck and more confident at home.

• Big emotions: frequent crying, anger, panic, or “exploding” over small things
• Worry or fear: clingy behavior, checking, nightmares, or fear of school
• Behavior changes: hitting, biting, yelling, lying, stealing, or sudden defiance
• Sadness or withdrawal: low mood, loss of interest, or wanting to be alone
• School struggles: trouble paying attention, drop in grades, or lots of calls home
• Sleep and body signs: trouble falling asleep, stomachaches, headaches, or bedwetting
• After a hard event: divorce, grief, moves, medical trauma, bullying, or other stressful changes
• Social problems: trouble making friends, conflicts, or feeling left out

Benefits you may notice over time include improved emotional control, fewer meltdowns, better sleep, stronger confidence, and healthier family routines. Many families also report better communication and less conflict at home because parents learn specific tools to use between sessions.

Evidence-Based Approach

Play therapy is not “just playing.” A trained clinician uses play on purpose to learn what a child is feeling and to teach coping skills in a developmentally appropriate way. Research supports play-based care for many childhood concerns, including anxiety, trauma stress, and behavior challenges. Major sources like the APA and NIH describe psychotherapy approaches for children and note that treatment should match a child’s developmental level and needs.

Our approach uses evidence-informed care and clear treatment goals. We track progress with parent input, child-friendly check-ins, and school collaboration (when you want it). We also coordinate with pediatricians and psychiatrists as needed.

Common play therapy modalities we may use

• Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT): Helps children express feelings safely and build self-control through a warm, steady relationship.
• Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy (CBPT): Uses games, stories, and art to teach coping skills, flexible thinking, and brave behaviors for anxiety.
• Trauma-informed play therapy: Supports nervous system calming, safety building, and gradual processing after scary or overwhelming experiences. When appropriate, we may incorporate trauma-focused skills drawn from established models.
• Parent coaching / filial-style work: Teaches caregivers play-based skills to strengthen connection and reduce power struggles at home.
• Social-emotional skills building: Practice for sharing, turn-taking, problem solving, and handling frustration.

Clinical reasoning: why play works

Children often communicate through actions more than words. Play gives the brain a safe “language” to show fears, needs, and memories. In sessions, kids can practice new choices, learn calming tools, and build trust with an adult who stays steady. Over time, this can reduce stress responses and improve day-to-day functioning.

Safety, ethics, and Michigan licensing standards

In Michigan, mental health counseling is provided by professionals who meet state education, supervised experience, and exam requirements (for example, Licensed Professional Counselors and Licensed Psychologists). We follow Michigan licensing rules, confidentiality laws, and ethical standards, including clear consent for treatment and appropriate documentation. If we ever believe a child is at risk of harm, we follow mandated reporting laws and focus on safety first.

What to Expect

Starting therapy can feel scary for kids and parents. We keep the process simple, supportive, and clear so you know what is happening and why.

Step 1: Parent intake

The first visit is usually with the parent(s) or caregiver(s). We talk about your child’s strengths, concerns, history, school situation, medical factors, and what has helped (or not helped) so far. We also review privacy rights, therapy goals, and how your child will be supported at home and at school.

Step 2: Child session (play-based assessment)

Next, we meet your child in a playroom setting. We may use dolls, figures, sand tray, art supplies, board games, or movement activities. Your child is not graded or judged. This time helps the therapist understand emotional needs, coping style, and what brings your child comfort or stress.

Step 3: Treatment plan and goals

After we have enough information, we create a plan with specific goals (example: “reduce bedtime panic,” “increase safe anger skills,” or “improve classroom transitions”). We explain what we will do in sessions and what you can do at home. Goals are reviewed regularly and adjusted as your child grows.

Typical session details

• Length: Often 45–55 minutes
• Frequency: Many children start weekly; some move to every other week with progress
• Parent involvement: Often includes brief parent check-ins or periodic parent-only coaching visits
• Timeline: Some concerns improve in a few months; others take longer, especially when trauma or complex family stress is present

We focus on steady progress. If something is not working, we talk about it openly and adjust the plan.

Insurance

Many families use health insurance for play therapy. Coverage can vary based on your plan, diagnosis requirements, and whether your therapist is in-network. We can help you understand the common terms so there are fewer surprises.

Common insurance costs

• Copay: A set fee you pay at each visit (example: $20–$60)
• Deductible: The amount you may need to pay before insurance starts paying more of the bill
• Coinsurance: A percentage you pay after you meet your deductible (example: 10%–30%)
• Prior authorization: Some plans require approval before they cover ongoing sessions

Mental health parity (what it means)

Many plans must follow “mental health parity” rules. This means mental health benefits should not be more limited than medical benefits in similar ways. Even so, plans can still set rules like deductibles, network limits, or authorization. If you get a denial or confusing explanation of benefits (EOB), we can provide documentation and help you ask the right questions.

Out-of-network options

If we are out-of-network, you may be able to use out-of-network benefits. We can provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurer, if appropriate. Payment is typically due at the time of service unless other arrangements are made.

FAQ

What ages are best for play therapy?

Play therapy is commonly used for children ages 3–12, but it can also help some teens using creative, activity-based work. The therapist matches the tools to your child’s age, needs, and comfort level.

Will my child “just play,” or will they learn skills?

Your child will play, but the therapist is working on purpose. Play becomes a way to practice skills like calming down, problem solving, and talking about feelings. We also teach parents practical tools to use at home.

How do you handle trauma or very scary events?

We use a trauma-informed approach focused on safety, choice, and steady pacing. We do not rush children to talk about scary memories. We help the body calm first, then use gentle play-based steps to reduce fear and improve coping. For guidance, many clinicians follow evidence-based principles described in APA resources and NIH-supported research on child mental health treatments.

How will I know therapy is working?

We look for changes you can see: fewer outbursts, better sleep, improved school days, and easier transitions at home. We also track goals and review progress with you regularly. If progress stalls, we adjust the plan, consider parent coaching, or coordinate with other supports (school, pediatrician, or psychiatry) with your permission.

References: American Psychological Association (APA) resources on psychotherapy and evidence-based practice; National Institutes of Health (NIH) and related federal health resources on children’s mental health and psychotherapy outcomes. (Specific articles can be provided upon request based on your child’s needs and diagnosis.)