play therapy

American  

noun

1. a form of psychotherapy used chiefly with children, in which patients act out situations in play that are expressive of their emotional problems, conflicts, etc.

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Etymology

Origin of play therapy

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

play therapy

She continued: "Near the chapel is the children's hospital. There are staff here who specialise in play therapy, softening the anxiety of a hospital stay, and speeding up recovery."

From BBC ● Jan. 1, 2026

I got this little cottage set back from the Main Street on Long Island and decorated three separate play therapy rooms with expressive arts therapy and sand play therapy.

From New York Times ● Feb. 8, 2023

So they’ll do play therapy, allowing the child to lead the therapist in games and plays, with secondary goals in mind: building social skills, working on communication, raising frustration tolerance.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 25, 2022

Share Our Selves: Individual, family and group therapy, as well as play therapy for kids.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2022

It has also been recommended that we see a therapist who specializes in play therapy or in parent-child interaction therapy.

From Slate ● Feb. 11, 2020