Services
Play Therapy for Children in Tampa & St. Petersburg
Helping Children Heal, Grow, and Connect Through Play
At IBW, we specialize in evidence-based play therapy for children aged 3 to 12. Our licensed therapists in Tampa and St. Petersburg provide a compassionate and developmentally appropriate space where children can express emotions, build resilience, and overcome challenges—all through the natural language of play.
What Is Play Therapy?
Simply put, play therapy is an approach to Child Therapy, and is a structured mental health intervention that uses play to help children explore feelings and resolve emotional or behavioral challenges. Unlike adults who can express their feelings through words, kids use play to communicate their experiences and needs.
In our therapeutic playrooms, children are invited to use toys, art materials, and games to:
Process anxiety, grief, trauma, or behavioral challenges
Learn emotional regulation and problem-solving
Strengthen self-esteem and social skills
At It Begins Within our approach is Child-Centered (CCPT), interactive, and confidential. We also emphasize providing each child a safe and trusted environment to do the important work of growing and healing.
Why Play Therapy
Parents may not understand why their child is sad, angry, or acting out. During a developmental play therapy session, the pediatric therapist facilitates interactive therapy sessions with the child to help develop positive ways of self-direction and appropriate coping skills.
What is the Success Rate of Play Therapy?
Play therapy has a well-established track record of success, with numerous studies showing that it significantly improves emotional, behavioral, and social outcomes for children. A widely cited meta-analysis by Bratton et al. (2005) found that play therapy is effective in approximately 75% of cases, with a large treatment effect size of 0.80. More recent research continues to support its efficacy, particularly for children dealing with trauma, anxiety, ADHD, and behavioral challenges. Outcomes are even stronger when parents are involved in the therapeutic process. Overall, play therapy is considered a highly effective, evidence-based approach for helping children ages 3 to 12 express emotions, build resilience, and develop healthier relationships.
Who Benefits from Play Therapy?
Do You Treat Toddlers and Children Under 5?
Yes. We offer toddler play therapy using simplified, developmentally adjusted methods tailored for younger children.
Therapeutic Play for Neurodivergent Kids
At IBW, we provide play therapy tailored to the unique needs of neurodivergent and autistic children. Our therapists are experienced in supporting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, sensory processing differences, and other developmental variations.
Through a strengths-based, sensory-aware approach, we create a calming, structured play environment that meets your child where they are—emotionally and developmentally.
play therapy for autistic and neurodivergent children helps:
Support emotional regulation and reduce sensory overwhelm
Build communication and social interaction skills
Foster self-expression through visual, tactile, and imaginative play
Encourage flexibility, routine comfort, and trust in the therapeutic relationship
We collaborate closely with parents and caregivers to reinforce progress at home and ensure therapy is responsive to your child’s evolving needs.
While play therapy is primarily intended for children ages 3-12, it has also been proven to strengthen the parent-child relationship, benefiting parents and caregivers. Play therapy can support kids facing multiple challenges and diagnosis’, including:
Emotional distress like sadness, anxiety or mood swings
Challenging behaviors such as aggression, defiance or withdrawal
Traumatic events, including sexual abuse, family violence and medical issues
Life transitions which include divorce, grief and relocation
Developmental delays or neurodiversity
We also offer specialized services for toddlers, pediatric clients, and preteens who benefit from a modified and developmentally appropriate support. Play therapists (child therapists trained in play therapy) meet children where they are developmentally, as many young children do not possess cognitive skills.
What Happens During a Kids Play Therapy Session Near Me?
Before meeting the child, the therapist will meet with the parents or guardians to learn more about the child and to explain play therapy. A Pediatric play therapist can also work with the parent to help support the guardian with emotional and behavioral challenges in the home and school settings. The clinicians role includes helping to improve parenting skills to support the work being done with the child in addition to strengthening the treatment.
Each session is guided by a certified play therapist who is trained to
Observe the child’s patterns in play
Reflect emotions and themes back in safe, accessible language
Gently guide children toward insight, self-regulation, and healing
Therapy may include
Imaginative role-play or storytelling
Drawing, painting, and sensory activities
Sand tray therapy
Use of therapeutic games and toys
Helping Children Feel Empowered to Control Their Emotions
During a pediatric play therapy session, the child will work on identifying and expressing emotions through play. The child learns healthy coping skills to manage their emotions and communicate in ways that benefit the child and the parent.
Play therapy is a therapeutic approach primarily designed for children, typically between the ages of 3 and 12, but it can also be beneficial for adolescents and even some adults. This form of psychotherapy recognizes that children may struggle to express themselves verbally in the same way as adults. Instead, play therapy uses play as a natural medium for communication, allowing individuals to convey thoughts, emotions, and experiences through toys, games, and creative activities.
Play therapy serves three fundamental functions
Expression of Emotions: Through play, children can express complex emotions and experiences that may be challenging to verbalize. Play becomes a natural language for them to communicate their feelings, helping therapists gain insights into their inner world.
Catharsis and Healing: Play therapy provides a safe space for children to release pent-up emotions, facilitating emotional catharsis. Engaging in therapeutic play allows children to process and make sense of their experiences, contributing to healing and emotional well-being.
Skill Development: Play therapy for kids develops and enhances various skills, including emotional regulation, problem-solving, social interactions, and communication. Therapists use play as a tool to teach and reinforce positive behaviors, coping mechanisms, possess control over emotions, and adaptive skills crucial for healthy development.
The Parent’s Role in Play Therapy
Parent and caregiver involvement plays a crucial role in your child’s progress. At IBWHC, we begin every play therapy journey with a parent consultation to better understand your child’s emotional world, family dynamics, and daily environment.
Throughout treatment, our therapists provide regular updates, guidance, and optional coaching sessions. This helps reinforce growth between sessions and ensures that your child receives consistent support both in and outside the therapy room.
Can Parents Attend Play Therapy Sessions?
In most cases, play therapy sessions are held one-on-one with the child. This protected space allows the therapist to build trust and promote emotional safety.
However, parent involvement is woven into the treatment process through:
Scheduled check-ins with the therapist
Collaborative planning and progress reviews
Occasional joint sessions when therapeutically appropriate
The Family’s Influence on Child Therapy
While play therapy focuses primarily on the child, we recognize that family dynamics significantly impact a child’s emotional and behavioral health. That’s why we work with parents and caregivers to create a stable, nurturing environment at home.
When needed, we may also recommend family therapy to address broader relational patterns, enhance communication, and support long-term outcomes for the entire household.
Finding a Play Therapist for Your Child in Tampa and St. Pete
Choosing the right therapist for your child is an incredibly important decision. At IBW, we combine clinical expertise with a warm, child-centered approach to help your family feel confident and supported from the start.
Why families trust our play therapy team
Licensed & Certified Specialists
All sessions are led by licensed therapists with advanced training in child development, trauma-informed care, and play therapy models.Therapeutic Playrooms in Tampa & St. Petersburg, Florida
Our offices are designed with children in mind—safe, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate environments that support meaningful therapeutic work.Evidence-Based Treatment Models
We use proven approaches like Child-Centered Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, and other research-supported interventions tailored to your child’s needs.Family-Centered Treatment Plans
Therapy includes clear, collaborative goals and regular communication with caregivers to reinforce progress at home.
Are your play therapists certified?
Yes. Our clinicians are licensed professionals with advanced training in play therapy and child-focused interventions.
Key Benefits of Play Therapy
Play therapy is more than just play, it’s a research-supported mental health intervention that helps children develop resilience, express emotions, and grow in meaningful ways.
Play therapy can help your child:
Express emotions safely through symbolic play and process trauma, stress or overwhelming experiences
Build healthy coping skills, stengthen emotional regulation and improve communication skills
Boost self-confidence and sense of control
What Kinds of Issues Do Play Therapists Treat?
Many parents come to us saying things like:
“My 4-year-old is angry all the time.”
“Our 5-year-old’s behavior is out of control.”
“My 6-year-old cries every time I leave the room.”
While these concerns are real and urgent, they often signal deeper emotional needs or unresolved experiences. At IBWHC, our certified play therapists help children work through a wide range of challenges, including:
We treat children experiencing
Trauma – including abuse, neglect, medical trauma, or accidents
Behavioral concerns – such as aggression, tantrums, or defiance
Anxiety and depression – emotional overwhelm, low mood, or withdrawal
Separation anxiety – difficulty with transitions, school, or being apart from parents
Family changes – divorce, new siblings, grief, or relocation
Developmental or neurological differences – including speech delays, sensory needs, or social difficulties
We tailor every session to the child’s developmental level and emotional world—creating space for understanding, connection, and meaningful growth.
Is play therapy effective for trauma?
Yes. Play therapy is a research-supported treatment for trauma and has been shown to help children reduce emotional distress and behavioral symptoms.
What does it cost?
At IBW our standard rates are $160 for a 60-minute play therapy session. We also provide a limited amount of sliding scale options.
Start Your Child’s Healing Journey
Book a Free Play Therapy Consultation in Tampa or St. Petersburg today to learn about how to build your child’s self-esteem, improve problem-solving, and strengthen your relationship with your child.