Play therapy · ages 3+
For children as young as 3, putting big feelings into words isn't always possible yet. Play therapy uses play, a child's most natural language, to help them express what they can't yet say, work through worry and overwhelming emotions, and build the skills to feel more like themselves again.
Ages 3 to 12
modified for teens
45 to 50 minutes
usually weekly
In person
our Plano playroom
Parents involved
monthly consultations
What it is
In a safe playroom, your child leads the way. We don't direct or correct; we provide a caring space where they can show us their inner world, process tough emotions, and find their own solutions. What happens in that room is clinical work, even when it looks like a child moving trucks around.
Express big feelings safely
Show anger, fear, or sadness through play without judgment, and without having to name what happened.
Learn to problem-solve
Work through challenges and find solutions on their own terms, at their own pace.
Build self-esteem
Experience acceptance and mastery, building a stronger sense of self.
Develop coping skills
Naturally discover healthy ways to manage their emotions, then take them home.
Is it right for my child?
Every child has hard days. These are the patterns that tend to mean play therapy would help, and the concerns it is built for.
You might be seeing
Big, frequent tantrums or meltdowns
Constant worry, sadness, or anger
Trouble making friends or playing with others
Clinginess, bedwetting, or other behaviors from when they were younger
Problems listening or following directions at home or school
You've tried everything and feel unsure what to do next
Play therapy helps with
Anxiety, worry, and fear
Healing from trauma or stress
ADHD and focus challenges
Big behavioral outbursts
Grief and loss, including pets
Adjusting to divorce or school changes
For autistic children, we also offer AutPlay Therapy, a play-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach designed specifically for neurodivergent kids.
Learn about AutPlay TherapyHow it works at Layers
Play therapy is structured, even when it doesn't look like it. Here is what to expect from the first session on.
The first sessions
building safety
Your child is meeting a new adult in a new room, so we don't rush. Your therapist follows their cues and builds the kind of consistent, attuned relationship that becomes the vehicle for healing.
The work
child-led · weekly
Sand tray, puppets, art, miniature figures. Your child might rebuild the same scene week after week until one day the scene changes. The therapist tracks the themes, reflects them back in language your child can hold, and gently returns a sense of control.
Your role
monthly parent consultations
You don't stay in the room, and that's intentional. But you're a key part of this work. Monthly consultations give you guidance, updates, and practical strategies to support your child at home, without breaching their trust.
Fees and insurance
private pay · superbills · HSA / FSA
We're a private-pay practice with superbills for out-of-network reimbursement. Your free consultation is with the clinician your child would see, and you can ask about rates on the call.
Fees, insurance, and your Good Faith EstimateYour child's therapist
Play therapy at Layers is led by Jessica, a certified AutPlay Therapy provider who works with children, teens, and adults.
Play therapy is most directly indicated for ages 3 to 12, but the principles extend beyond that range. Teenagers often benefit from modified approaches that blend play with more verbal processing. If your child is old enough to play, there is a version of this work that can reach them.
No. That is the point of play therapy. Children show what they are carrying through the scenes they build and the roles they give their toys, and the therapist works with that. If your child refuses to engage at first, that is normal too. The therapist follows their pace, and most children settle into the room within a few sessions.
You will usually see it at home before you hear about it in the playroom: shorter meltdowns, easier bedtimes, a child who can name a feeling instead of exploding with it. Monthly parent consultations are where the therapist walks you through the themes they are seeing and what is shifting.
