Supporting a Child Through Play-Based Counselling

Liam* (name changed for privacy) is a 6-year-old child who was referred for counselling due to increasing anxiety, difficulty separating from caregivers, and frequent emotional outbursts at home.

Service

Counselling

Setting

In home + clinic

Approach

Play-based

Background

Liam* (name changed for privacy) is a 6-year-old child who was referred for counselling due to increasing anxiety, difficulty separating from caregivers, and frequent emotional outbursts at home. His parents also reported that Liam had become withdrawn in social situations and often avoided trying new activities.

At school, teachers observed that Liam sometimes became overwhelmed during transitions, had difficulty managing peer conflict, and occasionally shut down when upset or frustrated. His family wanted support to help Liam express his emotions more effectively and build confidence in daily situations.


Assessment

A child counsellor completed an initial assessment to better understand Liam’s emotional, behavioural, and social needs. This included:

What the assessment included

Parent interviews regarding emotional responses, routines, and daily challenges
Discussion with school supports and caregivers
Observation of Liam during play-based activities
Identification of coping skills, emotional awareness, and social interaction patterns

What We learned

The assessment identified that Liam had difficulty identifying and communicating emotions, managing anxiety during transitions, and coping with unexpected situations. He often expressed stress through behaviours rather than words.

Intervention Plan

A play-based counselling plan was developed to support Liam’s emotional regulation, confidence, and communication skills in a developmentally appropriate way.
Play-Based Emotional Expression
  • Using imaginative play, puppets, games, and storytelling to help Liam safely express thoughts and feelings
  • Incorporating art and creative activities to explore emotions and experiences
Emotional Regulation Strategies
  • Teaching calming tools such as deep breathing, grounding exercises, and movement breaks
  • Helping Liam identify physical and emotional signs of frustration or anxiety
  • Practicing coping strategies during sessions through play and role modelling
Building Emotional Awareness
  • Using visual emotion charts and feelings-based activities to improve emotional vocabulary
  • Supporting Liam in recognizing and communicating his needs appropriately
Social and Confidence Building
  • Practicing turn-taking, flexible thinking, and problem-solving through cooperative games
  • Role-playing social situations to improve confidence and peer interactions
  • Encouraging gradual participation in new or challenging activities
Parent Collaboration and Support
  • Providing caregivers with strategies to support emotional regulation at home
  • Establishing consistent routines and supportive responses to emotional dysregulation
  • Encouraging co-regulation techniques and positive reinforcement

We offer flexible support options to meet you and your family's individual needs

Results

After participating in ongoing play-based counselling:
Liam demonstrated improved ability to identify and communicate emotions
Emotional outbursts decreased in both home and school environments
He began using calming strategies with greater independence
Teachers observed improved participation during classroom activities and transitions
Liam showed increased confidence in social situations and greater willingness to engage with peers
Parents reported reduced stress during daily routines and improved emotional communication at home

Conclusion

Play-based counselling can help children develop emotional regulation, coping, and communication skills in a way that feels safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate. Through therapeutic play, children are able to process emotions, build resilience, and strengthen their ability to navigate challenges at home, school, and in the community.

At Thrive Therapy, child counselling services are individualized to support each child’s unique strengths, needs, and goals while working collaboratively with families and other supports.

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