Play Therapy for Children in Michigan
When your child is struggling — with big feelings, a stressful life change, a recent diagnosis, or something they don’t yet have words for — play therapy gives them a safe, developmentally appropriate way to process what’s going on. At Bright Pine Behavioral Health, our licensed clinicians provide evidence-based play therapy for children ages 3 to 12 at our Clarkston, West Bloomfield, and Troy offices. Whether your child has just completed psychological testing, is working through anxiety or ADHD, or is navigating a family transition, play therapy can help them build the communication and coping skills they’ll carry into the rest of their life.
Schedule to find out if play therapy is the right fit for your child.
What Is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a structured, evidence-based form of counseling that uses play — a child’s most natural form of communication — as the medium for emotional expression, processing, and healing. Children who don’t yet have the vocabulary to talk about what’s bothering them can show us through dolls, sand trays, art, miniatures, games, and storytelling.
At Bright Pine, our therapy rooms are intentionally designed with a curated set of toys and materials that give children the freedom to direct the session, while our therapists observe, reflect, and gently guide. The goal isn’t simply play for play’s sake — every session is grounded in a treatment plan tailored to your child’s specific needs.
Conditions and Situations Play Therapy Can Help With
Play therapy is one of the most well-researched interventions for children and is especially effective for kids who struggle to express themselves verbally. We use it to help children navigate:
Anxiety and Depression
Worry, perfectionism, school avoidance, separation anxiety, and low mood. Often paired with our anxiety testing services when a clearer diagnostic picture is needed.
ADHD and Behavioral Challenges
Impulsivity, emotional dysregulation, and frustration tolerance. Play therapy complements our ADHD testing and works well alongside parent coaching.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
We offer specialized play-based approaches (including AutPlay®-informed work) for children on the spectrum. Many of our play therapy clients also receive autism testing at one of our Michigan offices.
Trauma, Grief, and Loss
Loss of a loved one, medical trauma, accidents, or other difficult experiences. Play allows children to revisit hard moments at a pace they control.
Family Transitions and Divorce
Separation, divorce, blended families, moves, and new siblings. Play therapy pairs well with our co-parenting counseling services.
Social and School Difficulties
Friendship struggles, bullying, academic frustration, and the emotional weight of a learning disability.
Our Play Therapy Approaches
There isn’t a single “play therapy” — there are dozens of evidence-based modalities. Our clinicians are trained in several so we can match the approach to your child rather than the other way around:
- Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT): non-directive, follows the child’s lead; ideal for emotional regulation and self-esteem work.
- Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy (CBPT): combines CBT principles with play; well-suited for anxiety, OCD, and behavior change.
- Sandtray Therapy: uses miniatures and sand to externalize internal experiences; powerful for grief and difficult life events.
- Theraplay®-informed approaches: parent-included, attachment-focused work for younger children and adoptive families.
- Filial Therapy: trains parents to deliver therapeutic play sessions at home, deepening the parent-child bond.
- AutPlay®-informed therapy: developmentally tailored play interventions for autistic and neurodivergent children.
For older children and teens who’ve outgrown traditional play therapy, ask about our Video Game Play Therapy program.
What to Expect at Your Child’s First Sessions
Session 1 — Parent intake (without your child): We meet with you to understand your child’s history, current concerns, what’s been tried, and what success would look like. This usually takes 50–60 minutes.
Session 2 — Child meet-and-greet: Your child meets their therapist in our playroom. There’s no pressure to talk about anything difficult — the focus is comfort and rapport.
Sessions 3 and beyond: Weekly 30–45 minute sessions, structured around your child’s individualized treatment plan. We hold parent check-ins every 4–6 weeks to share progress, answer questions, and coach you on what to do at home.
Length of treatment: Most children complete play therapy in 12–20 sessions, though this varies based on the presenting concern. We’ll discuss expected duration during your intake.
Why Families Choose Bright Pine for Play Therapy
- Three Oakland County locations — Clarkston, West Bloomfield, and Troy — making weekly sessions practical for working families across Metro Detroit.
- In-house psychological testing. When play therapy reveals something deeper, your child can be evaluated by the same trusted team rather than starting over with a new provider.
- Licensed, specialty-trained clinicians. Our play therapists hold advanced training in child mental health and use only evidence-based approaches.
- Parent partnership built in. You’re never sidelined — regular parent sessions are part of every treatment plan.
- Continuity of care. Therapy, testing, executive functioning coaching, and group therapy are all under one roof.
Schedule an appointment | Book a 20-minute consultation | Call (248) 455-6619
Play Therapy Locations in Michigan
Clarkston, MI — 6060 Dixie Highway, Suite H · View Clarkston office
West Bloomfield, MI — 5777 W. Maple Rd, Suite 145 · View West Bloomfield office
Troy, MI — 1739 W. Big Beaver · View Troy office
We see families from across Oakland County, including Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Rochester, Waterford, Auburn Hills, Lake Orion, Royal Oak, Commerce Township, and surrounding communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Play Therapy
What age is play therapy for?
Play therapy is most effective for children between the ages of 3 and 12. Younger children may benefit from parent-included approaches like Theraplay® or Filial Therapy. Older children and teens typically do better with talk-based therapy, art therapy, or our Video Game Play Therapy program.
How long does play therapy take to work?
Most families see meaningful change within 12 to 20 weekly sessions, though the timeline depends on the issue being addressed. Complex presentations often take longer; situational stressors like an upcoming family transition may resolve more quickly.
Does insurance cover play therapy in Michigan?
Play therapy is billed as standard outpatient psychotherapy, which most major insurance plans cover. Contact our office and we’ll verify your benefits before your first appointment.
How is play therapy different from regular play at home?
Play therapy is structured, goal-directed, and delivered by a licensed clinician using specific evidence-based techniques. The therapist creates conditions that allow children to safely process emotions and learn new skills — something that doesn’t reliably happen through unstructured play at home.
Will I be in the room during my child’s play therapy session?
For most modalities (like Child-Centered Play Therapy), parents wait in our reception area while the child meets one-on-one with the therapist. For attachment-based approaches like Theraplay® or Filial Therapy, parents are an active part of the session. We’ll discuss what’s right for your child during intake.
How is play therapy different from ABA or other behavioral interventions?
Play therapy focuses on emotional expression, regulation, and the parent-child relationship. ABA and similar interventions focus on observable behavior change through reinforcement. The two can complement each other and many of our clients receive both.
Can play therapy help my child after a psychological evaluation?
Yes — and it’s one of our most common referral paths. After psychological testing gives you a clearer picture of what’s going on, play therapy is often the next step to help your child build the skills the evaluation identified as needs.
How do I get started?
Call us at (248) 455-6619, schedule online, or book a 25-minute consultation to ask questions before committing. We’ll match your child with the play therapist whose training and style best fits their needs.
Ready to Help Your Child?
Play therapy gives children a way to be heard before they have all the words. If you’re wondering whether it’s the right fit, we’d love to talk.
Schedule a Consultation | Call (248) 455-6619
