How Long Does Play Therapy Take? What Parents Need to Know

You've never had your child in play therapy before and there is a sense of anxiety around not knowing what to expect regarding a timeline. You may find yourself exhausted, overwhelmed or even worried and you just want to know how long until you see the changes you are seeking. 

Let’s get right to it. How long does the play therapy process take? The honest answer is — it varies. A common range we see for children in child-centered play therapy (CCPT) is between 30 to 40 weeks of play therapy sessions. Some may need less time, while others may benefit from longer-term support. Like snowflakes, no child’s play therapy process is the same.

So, what makes the difference? Let’s look at the various factors that influence the length of CCPT, so that you can get a better idea of what the length of therapy might look like for your child.

One factor that is considered regarding length of therapy is the reason your child is coming to therapy. Just like a doctor, there are a variety of reasons you might bring your child in for play therapy. Anxiety, aggression, low self-esteem, power struggles and sometimes it’s a combination of reasons. For example, children with anxiety often take more time in the process. They tend to be more cautious, thoughtful, and hesitant, which means they move carefully as they begin to explore and express their inner world. The slower pace is not a problem, it’s how they build safety.

Another aspect to consider is the severity and duration of your child’s concern. If the behaviors are new, it typically takes children less time to sort through the underlying root cause. If you started noticing behaviors years ago and they have gotten worse over time, it will likely take more time for the child to sort it out.

 Another thing that is taken into consideration is the child's age and developmental stage. In general, the younger the child, the faster they move through the process. Older children often have more work to do, to be able to sort out the root cause of their behavior. This is due to natural development and compounding lived experiences. They have often picked up habits or used strategies to cope that are no longer effective but have become the go to mechanism in responding to life’s challenges.  The longer the child has managed their internal world in a muddled way, the longer and harder it is for them to learn new ways of responding to the various challenges that are thrown at them.

One of the most important factors is family involvement and support at home. After every 5 play therapy sessions, parents and caregivers will have the opportunity to meet with the counselor. This time is used for parents and caregivers to provide updates, to explore and process what is going on internally for the child and for the counselor to provide you with practical strategies that you can implement at home with your child. The more consistent and frequent the strategies are implemented at home, the faster you will see change in your child and your relationship with your child.

The last factor we are going to explore is the consistency of attendance. Children thrive with consistency and routine. When there is no consistency, their world feels unpredictable and unsafe. When your child attends play therapy consistently at the same time, same place each week, it allows for the child to work through the things that they are needing, with the assurance that they will have the time, place, and opportunity to do so each week.

Next, let’s focus on what progress actually looks like. During the process, you might find yourself asking “is this working?". One thing you might see is that the frequency, duration, or intensity of behaviors begin to decline. If your child has an outburst multiple times a day when you started the play therapy process, and that changes to 4 to 5 times per week, that's a sign that your child has increased their ability to self-regulate. Another example you might see is if your child insists that you tell them every detail about an event they are going to attend and now you notice your child only asking three questions about the event instead of 10. The changes in your child are often subtle and can easily go unnoticed.

Luckily, the therapist will also be monitoring progress within the playroom. During parent consultation sessions, the therapist will share their observations from the playroom of your child’s growth and how it will translate outside of the play therapy room.

Every single child's journey is unique. Child centered play therapy believes that the child will take the therapist where they need to go when they are willing, ready, and able to do so. The therapist provides an environment that allows the child to explore their world and allows them to grow internally, at their own pace.  These changes are often small and subtle through the process, and to ensure they do not go unnoticed, they are brought to the light and celebrated during parent consultation sessions.

Not knowing an exact timeline can feel unsettling, but understanding these factors can help you feel more prepared for the journey ahead. While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all timeline, what matters most is that your child is given the space to grow at a pace that leads to lasting change, not just quick fixes.