Explaining therapy to a child can be challenging, especially if you’ve never been to therapy yourself. And to make it even more complex, play therapy looks very different from traditional talk therapy.

At Nurture Family Therapy, our goal is to make this process less intimidating for both kids and parents. In this post, we’ll guide you through how to talk to your child about play therapy, how to prepare for the first appointment, and what to expect in follow-up sessions.

How to Bring Up Therapy With Your Child

How you talk about therapy depends on your child’s age and developmental level. One thing is universal, though, kids feel safest when they know what to expect. Start by giving them a simple, age-appropriate explanation of why they’re going to therapy.

Here are a few examples:

Younger Kids:“You know how it can be really hard to leave mom to go to school? We’re going to meet with someone called a play therapist so we can learn new skills to make that easier!”
Elementary Age Kids: “I’ve noticed some tough moments at home when you’re feeling big feelings. We’re going to work with a play therapist to help us handle those better. A play therapist is someone who helps kids and their parents find tools and skills to help with those big feelings.”
Tweens/Teens: “I’ve noticed that you have some big feelings going on and that you don’t always want to talk to me about them. A play therapist can be a safe space where you can hang out and talk to them without being judged. I think it’d be a good idea to try it out!"

The goal with prepping your child for play therapy is to speak about it in a positive tone. It’s best to avoid a negative tone and implying that there is something wrong with your child. Your child’s therapist is another person in the village that it takes to raise a child!

Preparing Your Child for their Appointment

The first session with a play therapist is different from future appointments. It typically involves getting to know your child and understanding the challenges they’re facing.

Give reminders leading up to the appointment—this can be a few days ahead, the night before, and the day of.
Explain what to expect in simple terms. You might say:

“When we go meet with (insert therapist’s name), we’re going to be there for an hour. She’s going to ask us some questions to get to know us better and hear about our challenges at home and at school. Some questions might feel a little hard, and that’s okay. The play therapist is someone safe to talk to, but you don’t have to share everything right away if you don’t feel comfortable.”

Keeping your tone positive and relaxed helps make this feel like a supportive, not scary, experience.

The Day of your First Session

Here’s a deeper dive into what to expect for the first session. Our office is located in the Cedar Ridge Shopping Center. Our address is 7501 Douglas Ave, Urbandale.

Next, when you walk in, select the therapist’s name on the screen as you walk in. Then, take a seat anywhere in the waiting room. Your therapist will come get you at your scheduled session time. Below is what the inside of our office looks like!

What Do Typical Play Therapy Sessions Look Like?

Every child is unique, and play therapy sessions vary depending on the child’s needs, the therapist’s approach, and the goals you're working on.

Here’s what a typical 50 - 55 minute session might look like at our Urbandale play therapy clinic:

A brief check-in with the parent and therapist - your therapist might ask how the week has been and what challenges and improvements you’ve seen.
Individual playtime with the child and therapist
Occasional parent involvement in the play (depending on goals)
A variety of activities and techniques, tailored to your child

Making Therapy a Positive Experience

The first few sessions may feel unfamiliar or even a little uncomfortable, but with consistency and support, play therapy becomes a safe, predictable space for your child to learn and grow.

If you're considering play therapy in Urbandale, Iowa, we’re here to support your family through every step—from the first appointment to building long-term emotional tools.

Ready to Get Started?

Have questions or want to schedule a session with a licensed play therapist in Urbandale? Contact us here — we’d love to hear from you!

How to Explain Play Therapy to Your Child: A Parent’s Guide