Play Therapy in Billerica & Lexington, MA
Supporting Children Through Play
Children experience the world differently than adults. While adults often communicate through words, children communicate through actions, behavior, and play. At Blue Square Counseling, we understand that play is a natural language for kids. Through play therapy, we offer a safe, supportive, and developmentally appropriate way for children to express themselves, explore emotions, and begin the journey toward healing.
What Is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a research-supported approach to helping children work through emotional, behavioral, and social challenges. It’s based on the understanding that play is how children naturally process the world around them. Through carefully selected toys, games, art materials, and imaginative activities, children can explore difficult emotions and experiences in a way that feels safe and accessible.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, which may not always be effective for younger children who are still developing language and self-awareness, play therapy allows therapists to engage with children at their level. It provides a window into the child's inner world and helps them make sense of experiences that may otherwise go unexpressed.
Who Can Benefit from Play Therapy?
Play therapy can be beneficial for children ages 7 to 13 experiencing a wide range of challenges, including:
Anxiety or excessive worry
Depression or persistent sadness
Behavioral concerns, including defiance, aggression, or tantrums
Difficulty adjusting to life changes, such as divorce, relocation, or a new sibling
Grief and loss
Trauma or abuse
Social difficulties, including trouble making or keeping friends
School-related issues
Sensory regulation or attention concerns
At Blue Square Counseling, we typically offer play therapy for children ages 7 to 13, as our therapists are specially trained in supporting this age group. Sessions are tailored to each individual child and include age-appropriate types of play.
What Happens in a Play Therapy Session?
During each session, your child will meet one-on-one with a licensed therapist in a space intentionally designed to be welcoming, calm, and child-friendly. The therapist will offer a variety of play items that may include:
Art supplies (markers, crayons, clay)
Sand trays
Puppets or dolls
Building blocks
Board games
Costumes or props for imaginative play
The therapist observes how the child interacts with these tools and gently guides them toward expressing feelings and developing new coping strategies. Children are never pushed to talk or perform; they are allowed to explore and express themselves in their own time and in their own way.
The Therapist's Role
Our play therapists are trained to interpret the symbolic language of play. Through careful observation and interaction, they can identify patterns, emotional triggers, and potential sources of distress. More importantly, they provide a safe relationship where your child feels seen, heard, and supported.
The therapist helps your child learn to:
Express difficult emotions (anger, sadness, fear)
Resolve internal conflicts
Improve impulse control and frustration tolerance
Develop empathy and respect for others
Build self-confidence and resilience
What Parents Can Expect
Parental involvement is a key component of successful play therapy. While parents do not typically participate in the sessions themselves, you will receive regular updates and feedback from your child’s therapist. These check-ins may involve discussing themes emerging in your child's play, sharing coping strategies to use at home, and offering guidance tailored to your child’s development and challenges.
The duration of play therapy varies depending on the child’s age, the nature of their challenges, and how they respond to therapy. Some children benefit from a short-term approach (8–15 sessions), while others may need longer-term support. What’s most important is allowing space for your child to feel safe, build trust, and progress at their own pace.
Why Play Therapy Works
Children often express things through play that they can’t say with words. By giving them this outlet, play therapy helps children:
Make sense of confusing emotions
Feel more in control
Develop problem-solving skills
Heal from past experiences
Feel less alone in their struggles
In-Person Services for Kids
At Blue Square Counseling, all play therapy sessions are offered in person at our Billerica and Lexington, MA offices. We believe in the value of face-to-face interaction when working with children, especially for a modality as experiential as play therapy.
Our therapy rooms are thoughtfully set up with age-appropriate toys, activities, and materials to engage children in a way that feels natural and fun—because therapy for kids should feel safe, not scary.
Getting Started with Play Therapy at Blue Square Counseling
Taking the first step for your child can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. If your child is struggling and you believe play therapy might help, we encourage you to reach out. Our client care team is here to match your child with a skilled, compassionate therapist who specializes in working with children.
Let us partner with you to help your child move toward healing, confidence, and joy.
