Play Therapy for Children in Glendale, AZ
Helping Kids Regulate Emotions Through Play-Based Counseling
Play therapy for children in Glendale, AZ offers a developmentally appropriate, evidence-based way to help kids regulate emotions, manage stress, and build coping skills—especially when they don’t yet have the words to explain what they’re feeling.
At Zoe Counseling Center, we provide play-based therapy and child counseling in Glendale, AZ that supports emotional regulation while honoring each child’s pace, personality, and family system. Through guided play, children learn to express emotions safely, build resilience, and feel more confident navigating their world.
For more information on our services, you can visit our psychotherapy services page.
Get started today and submit a schedule form to explore play therapy for your child.
Why Play Therapy Helps Children Regulate Emotions
Children experience big feelings long before they can verbalize them. Anxiety, frustration, grief, or overwhelm often show up as meltdowns, withdrawal, defiance, or physical complaints—not because a child is “misbehaving,” but because their nervous system is overloaded.
Play therapy for children in Glendale, AZ works because play is a child’s natural language. It allows children to:
Express emotions without pressure to “talk it out”
Practice calming and coping skills in real time
Process stress or transitions safely
Strengthen emotional regulation and self-awareness
Play-based therapy meets children where they are—developmentally and emotionally.
What Is Play-Informed Therapy?
Play-informed therapy is an evidence-based approach used in child counseling in Glendale, AZ that integrates:
Attachment-informed care to support safety and connection
CBT-informed strategies to build coping and emotional awareness
Trauma-informed principles that prioritize regulation before insight
Therapists use toys, art, games, movement, and imaginative play intentionally—not randomly—to help children explore emotions and practice regulation skills. You can explore more about our team here.
The American Psychological Association recognizes play therapy as an effective intervention for children experiencing emotional and behavioral challenges.
How Emotional Regulation Develops Through Play
Play supports emotional regulation by engaging both the brain and body. During play-based therapy sessions, children learn to:
Identify emotions as they arise
Practice calming strategies in a low-pressure environment
Build tolerance for frustration or uncertainty
Experience success and mastery, which boosts confidence
Over time, these skills generalize beyond the therapy room—supporting smoother transitions at home, school, and with peers.
Signs Your Child May Benefit From Play-Based Counseling
Your child may benefit from play therapy in Glendale, AZ if they:
Have frequent emotional outbursts or meltdowns
Struggle with anxiety, worry, or fear
Have difficulty expressing feelings verbally
Show changes in behavior after stress, loss, or transitions
Seem withdrawn, irritable, or emotionally overwhelmed
Experience challenges at school or in peer relationships
Early support can help prevent emotional patterns from becoming more entrenched over time.
How Therapists Use Play to Support Regulation
At Zoe Counseling Center, play therapy is:
Child-led: Your child’s interests guide the session
Therapist-guided: The therapist tracks emotions and introduces regulation skills
Non-fixing: Children aren’t pushed to change; they’re supported in growth
Therapists gently model emotional language, coping strategies, and relational safety—helping children build skills naturally through play.
What Parents Can Expect in Child Therapy Sessions
Parents are an essential part of the therapeutic process. In child counseling in Glendale, AZ, you can expect:
Regular parent check-ins and guidance
Education on emotional regulation and child development
Collaboration around goals and progress
Support for applying strategies at home
While sessions are primarily child-focused, therapy works best when parents feel informed, supported, and empowered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages benefit most from play therapy?
Play therapy is typically most effective for children ages 3–10, though adaptations can support older children as well.
Do parents participate in sessions?
Parents may join portions of sessions or receive separate parent consultations, depending on the child’s needs.
How long does play-informed therapy usually last?
Length varies based on goals and challenges, but many families notice improvements within a few months of consistent therapy.
Is play therapy evidence-based?
Yes. Research supports play therapy as an effective intervention for emotional regulation, anxiety, behavioral concerns, and adjustment difficulties.
Start Play Therapy in Glendale, AZ
Your child doesn’t need to “have the right words” to get help. Zoe Counseling Center offers a compassionate, effective path toward emotional regulation, resilience, and confidence. We provide counseling using evidence-based, developmentally appropriate approaches.
Services are available in-person in Glendale, AZ and via telehealth across Arizona. Learn more about our services here.
Submit a schedule form to get started with child counseling at Zoe Counseling Center.
This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace individualized mental health care.
Clinical Sources
American Psychological Association (APA). *Play Therapy and Evidence-Based Practice* Bratton, S. C., et al. (2005). *The efficacy of play therapy.* Professional Psychology: Research and Practice.
*This content is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for individualized mental health treatment.*