Play-Based Cognitive Therapy in Michigan | Counseling & Psychology

Play-Based Cognitive Therapy in Michigan helps kids learn new thoughts and skills through play. Many children feel “stuck” with big worries, strong anger, or sadness, and they may not have the words to explain it. Families often see melt-downs, school struggles, or sleep problems and wonder what to do next. This therapy meets your child where they are, using games, stories, drawing, and movement to build coping skills in a way that feels safe.

Play-Based Cognitive Therapy blends play therapy with parts of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It is often helpful for children who learn best by doing, not just talking. It can support kids who are preschool age through elementary years, and it can also be adapted for older children who still connect through creative activities.

Signs You Might Benefit

Every child has hard days. Therapy may help when challenges are strong, last a long time, or get in the way at home, school, or with friends.

Common signs in daily life

• Big worries, fears, or “what if” thoughts that won’t go away
• Frequent stomachaches or headaches with no clear medical cause (often stress-related)
• Angry outbursts, yelling, hitting, or throwing things
• Strong sadness, crying a lot, or loss of interest in favorite activities
• Trouble sleeping, nightmares, or bedtime battles
• School refusal, drop in grades, or trouble focusing
• Shy or avoidant behavior, trouble making or keeping friends
• Difficulty with changes, transitions, or new places
• After a scary or upsetting event (loss, accident, medical event, violence, or bullying)

Benefits families often notice

• Your child can name feelings and needs more clearly
• Better coping skills for worry, anger, and frustration
• Fewer melt-downs and quicker recovery after strong emotions
• Improved confidence, problem-solving, and flexibility
• Healthier family routines (sleep, homework, morning and bedtime)
• Caregivers feel more sure about how to respond

Evidence-Based Approach

Play-based care is not “just playing.” Play is a child’s natural language. We use it with a clear plan, goals, and skills practice. Our clinical reasoning is based on child development and evidence-based therapy methods.

CBT skills taught in kid-friendly ways

CBT is one of the most studied treatments for anxiety and related concerns in children. APA and NIH-supported research shows CBT can reduce anxiety and improve coping by teaching new thinking and behavior skills.

• Feelings identification: learning to notice body clues (tight chest, fast heart, clenched fists)
• Thought skills: spotting “worry thoughts” or “mean thoughts” and practicing more helpful thoughts
• Behavior practice: trying brave steps, coping plans, and problem-solving in small, safe ways
• Relaxation tools: belly breathing, muscle relaxation, grounding, and calming routines

Play therapy strategies that support regulation

• Therapeutic games: turn-taking, patience, flexible thinking, and coping practice
• Storytelling and puppets: helps kids talk about hard topics with less pressure
• Art and sensory-based play: supports calming, focus, and emotional expression
• Role play: practice for school, friendships, and family situations

Trauma-informed and family-centered care

If your child has been through a stressful or scary event, we keep sessions predictable and safe. We go at your child’s pace and teach coping skills before we do any deeper processing. Caregiver support is also part of evidence-based child therapy. When adults learn the same tools, kids improve faster and the skills “stick” at home.

Clinical standards in Michigan

Services are provided by clinicians who follow Michigan licensing rules and professional standards (such as those set by LARA for psychologists, counselors, and social workers). This includes informed consent, privacy, appropriate documentation, and ethical care. If we ever think another service is needed—like a medical check, speech therapy, or school supports—we coordinate care with your permission.

What to Expect

Starting therapy can feel scary for both kids and parents. We keep the process simple and clear. Sessions are structured, but still child-friendly.

First contact and scheduling

• A brief phone call to learn what is happening and what you want help with
• Review of fees, insurance options, and appointment times
• Ways to prepare your child with calm, honest language (we can help you with this)

Intake appointment

The intake usually includes caregiver time and child time. We ask about symptoms, family history, school concerns, sleep, medical history, and strengths. We may use simple rating scales to track progress over time. Together, we set goals that are easy to measure—like fewer bedtime battles, fewer panic-like worries, or improved classroom coping.

Ongoing sessions

• Length: Many sessions are 45–55 minutes.
• Format: A mix of play, skill teaching, and short check-ins.
• Caregiver involvement: Often 5–15 minutes at the end (or separate parent sessions) to teach you the tools.
• Home practice: Small “try-it-at-home” steps like a coping chart, brave ladder, or calming routine.

Progress and coordination

We check progress regularly and adjust the plan. With your written permission, we can collaborate with pediatricians, psychiatrists, and schools. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, we can help you connect therapy goals to school supports.

Insurance

Many families use health insurance for therapy. Coverage depends on your plan, your deductible, and whether the clinician is in-network. We aim to make the money side clear so you can focus on your child.

Common insurance terms (in plain language)

• Copay: A set amount you pay at each visit (for example, $20–$60).
• Deductible: The amount you may need to pay each year before insurance pays more of the cost.
• Coinsurance: A percentage you may pay after your deductible (for example, 10%–30%).
• Prior authorization: Some plans require approval before or after a certain number of visits.

Mental health parity

Many plans must follow mental health parity rules, meaning mental health benefits should be comparable to medical benefits. This does not always mean “no cost,” but it can help limit unfair restrictions. If a claim is denied, we can often provide documentation to support medical necessity and help you understand your appeal options.

What we can provide

• Superbills (for out-of-network reimbursement, if your plan allows)
• Diagnosis and treatment codes used for billing
• Clear estimates of session frequency and expected length of care

FAQ

Is Play-Based Cognitive Therapy the same as regular play therapy?

It overlaps, but it is more skills-focused. Regular play therapy may be more open-ended. Play-Based Cognitive Therapy uses play plus clear CBT tools, like coping skills, thought-flexing, and brave practice. The goal is both emotional expression and skill building.

How long does therapy take?

It depends on your child’s needs and goals. Some children improve in 8–12 sessions. Others benefit from longer care, especially when stress has lasted a long time or there are multiple concerns (anxiety plus behavior issues, for example). We review progress often so you know what to expect.

Will my child have to talk about scary or upsetting things right away?

No. We start by building safety and trust. We teach calming skills first. If trauma is part of the story, we move slowly and only when your child has the coping tools to handle it.

How do you know this works?

CBT is strongly supported by research for childhood anxiety and related concerns, and it is recommended in many clinical guidelines (APA; NIH/NIMH educational resources). We also track progress with parent feedback, child-friendly measures, and goal check-ins. Therapy should show real changes in daily life, not just in the session room.

If you are looking for Play-Based Cognitive Therapy in Michigan, we can help you understand what is going on and build a plan that fits your child. Reach out to schedule an intake and take the next small step toward calmer days.