When you start looking for therapeutic support for your child, you’ll quickly encounter different approaches with different names. Play Therapy and Child and Adolescent Counselling are two terms you’ll see frequently, and whilst they share some similarities, they’re designed for different age groups and work in distinct ways.
Understanding these differences helps you make an informed choice about which approach might suit your child best.
What is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy works best for children aged 4 to 12, particularly those in primary school.
The fundamental principle is simple: play is a child’s natural language, and young children often lack the vocabulary to articulate complex emotions or explain what’s troubling them.
In a Play Therapy session, your child leads the way.
They choose from a wide range of play materials including sand trays, puppets, art supplies, clay, and drama props. Rather than being asked to talk about their problems, they communicate through their play. The therapist enters your child’s play world, following their lead whilst maintaining safe boundaries and a consistent therapeutic relationship.
This approach works because children naturally express themselves through play before they develop sophisticated verbal skills. A child might use puppets to act out a family situation without needing to explain what’s happening at home, or they might create a scene in the sand tray that represents feelings they can’t yet name. The play becomes the conversation, and the therapeutic work happens through this creative expression rather than through words.
Sessions typically last 40 minutes and happen at the same time and place each week, building trust and creating a safe space where your child can explore difficult feelings without judgement.
What is Child and Adolescent Counselling?
Child and Adolescent Counselling is designed for older children and teenagers, roughly aged 10 to 18. At this stage of development, young people have the verbal skills to talk about their experiences, but they don’t always find it easy or comfortable to do so, especially when dealing with difficult topics.
How It Combines Talking and Creative Work
This approach integrates traditional talking therapy with creative activities. Your teenager might spend part of a session talking with their counsellor, then use art, drawing, writing, music, or drama to explore feelings that are hard to put into words.
The balance between talking and creative work varies depending on what feels right for each individual and what they’re working through. A Year 10 student struggling with exam anxiety might draw their feelings about school pressure, then discuss what they’ve created and what it reveals about their worries.
Child and Adolescent Counselling respects that teenagers need a different approach than younger children.
It acknowledges their developing maturity and verbal abilities whilst recognising that creative expression often makes difficult conversations easier. Sometimes putting feelings into art, music, or drama first creates a safer starting point for talking about challenging topics.
Key Differences Between the Two Approaches
Age and development form the primary distinction.
Play Therapy suits ages 4 to 12 when children are still developing verbal skills, whilst Child and Adolescent Counselling works for ages 10 to 21 when young people can engage in conversation but benefit from multiple ways to express themselves.
Communication methods differ significantly too, with Play Therapy relying predominantly on non-verbal expression through child-led play, whereas Child and Adolescent Counselling combines talking with creative activities in whatever balance feels right.
The level of direction also varies.
In Play Therapy, sessions are mostly non-directive, meaning your child chooses the activities and leads the session. Counselling takes a more collaborative approach, adapting to your teenager’s preferences and needs as they emerge.
You’ll notice differences in session content as well: Play Therapy sessions might involve more play than talking, sometimes with very little verbal communication at all, whilst Child and Adolescent Counselling sessions typically include more conversation, with creative work supporting and enhancing what’s being discussed rather than replacing words entirely.
Which Approach is Right for Your Child?
When Play Therapy Works Best
Consider Play Therapy if your child is primary school age, particularly in Years 1 to 6. It’s especially suitable for children who find it difficult to put feelings into words, who become withdrawn or anxious when asked direct questions, or who naturally express themselves through play and imagination.
Play Therapy often works well for children who have experienced trauma or difficulties they cannot articulate verbally.
When Child and Adolescent Counselling Fits Better
Child and Adolescent Counselling might be the better fit if your young person is in upper primary or secondary school, roughly Years 5 to 11. It suits teenagers who can talk about feelings but sometimes struggle with particularly difficult topics, those facing age-specific pressures like the transition to secondary school or GCSE stress, and young people who respond well to having choices in how they express themselves.
For children aged 10 to 12, either approach might work depending on their individual development and preferences.
Some children at this age still benefit from the non-directive, play-focused approach, whilst others are ready for a more collaborative method that includes more conversation.
Taking the Next Steps
Both Play Therapy and Counselling have strong evidence bases and help thousands of children and young people each year.
The right choice for your child depends on their age, developmental stage, and how they naturally communicate. School-based delivery makes therapeutic support accessible and reduces any stigma, allowing children to access help within their familiar environment.
If you’re unsure which approach would suit your child best, an initial consultation gives you the chance to discuss their specific situation and needs.
I work with children and young people across West Kent, including Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, and Sevenoaks, offering both Play Therapy and Child and Adolescent Counselling in school settings.