Which Children Is Play Therapy Often Used to Treat? (Group vs. Individual)
Play therapy serves as a powerful therapeutic intervention for children experiencing various emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges. Parents and caregivers often wonder which group is play therapy often used to treat and whether their child might benefit more from individual or group sessions. This evidence-based guide explores who benefits most from play therapy, when group settings are recommended versus individual treatment, and how families can support their child's therapeutic journey.
Research consistently demonstrates that play therapy is particularly effective for children ages 3-12 who are struggling with anxiety, trauma, behavioral issues, ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and social-emotional difficulties. Understanding when group play therapy is recommended versus individual sessions can help families make informed decisions about their child's mental health care.
What Play Therapy Treats: Ages 3-12, Anxiety, Trauma, ADHD, Autism, and Behavior Issues
Optimal Age Range for Play Therapy
Play therapy is most effective for children ages 3-12 years, according to research published in the Journal of Clinical Child Psychology and supported by the University of North Texas Center for Play Therapy. During this developmental stage, children's capacity for abstract thinking is still developing, making verbal therapy less effective than play-based interventions.
Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is specifically designed as "a developmentally responsive, play-based mental health intervention for young children ages 3 to 10 who are experiencing social, emotional, behavioral and relational disorders".
Primary Conditions Treated with Play Therapy
Anxiety Disorders
Play therapy addresses a wide range of issues including "behavioral issues, anxiety, depression, trauma, and difficulties in relationships" and is particularly effective for children "with difficulties in managing feelings". Children with separation anxiety, school refusal, and generalized worries show significant improvement through therapeutic play.
Trauma and Grief
Play therapy is especially beneficial for children who are in a transition period of their lives (after a divorce, a loss) and those who have been witnesses of domestic violence, who have suffered some form of abuse. The non-threatening nature of play allows children to process traumatic experiences safely.
ADHD and Attention Difficulties
Multiple studies show "strong evidence for the effectiveness of play therapy" for children with ADHD, with one study demonstrating "significant gains among children with ADHD after 16 sessions of play therapy, with benefits seen in the areas of anxiety, withdrawal, emotional lability, and learning difficulty".
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Play therapy is suitable for "children who have some kind of developmental disorder (autism or attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder)" as recorded in this NIH publication. Group settings particularly help children with autism develop social communication skills and practice peer interactions.
Behavioral Problems
Children presenting with low self-esteem; aggression; shyness; worries; sadness; feelings of loneliness, trauma, and abuse; academic difficulties; interpersonal problems benefit significantly from play therapy interventions.
When Group Play Therapy Is Recommended vs. Individual
Research on Group vs. Individual Effectiveness
Recent meta-analyses demonstrate that "group treatments achieve large effects compared with nonactive treatment conditions and that the differences from other treatments, such as individual therapy, are negligible in terms of effect size"⁶. Evidence shows "group psychotherapy is as effective as individual psychotherapy".
When to Choose Group Play Therapy
Social Skills Development
Group play therapy is ideal when the primary goals include:
- Building peer relationships and social communication
- Learning to share, take turns, and cooperate
- Practicing conflict resolution with peers
- Developing empathy through peer modeling
Research demonstrates that group play therapy can enhance the self-awareness, self-regulation, social communication, empathy and adoptability in children.
Normalization and Universality
Group settings help children realize they're not alone in their struggles. Being part of a group can offer a sense of belonging that serves as an instant support network where other members typically face similar challenges.
Cost-Effectiveness
Group therapy is typically more cost-effective than individual sessions while maintaining equivalent therapeutic outcomes.
When to Choose Individual Play Therapy
Severe Trauma or Attachment Issues
Individual therapy may be necessary for children with:
- Complex trauma requiring specialized attention
- Severe attachment disruptions
- Safety concerns that could impact group dynamics
Highly Disruptive Behaviors
Children who exhibit highly disruptive behaviors such as frequent aggression, explosive outbursts, or severe defiance may benefit more from individual therapy initially. In a group setting, these behaviors can overwhelm other children, disrupt the therapeutic process, or even create safety concerns. Individual sessions allow the therapist to focus intensively on helping the child develop better self-regulation and coping strategies before transitioning to a group environment where they can practice these new skills with peers.
Customized Treatment Needs
Some children have unique circumstances or specific therapeutic needs that require highly personalized attention. This might include children with complex medical conditions, those dealing with family-specific issues like parental incarceration or military deployment, or children whose cultural background requires specialized approaches. Individual therapy allows the therapist to tailor interventions specifically to the child's situation, adjust the pace of treatment as needed, and address sensitive topics that wouldn't be appropriate to explore in a group setting. The one-on-one format also provides flexibility for scheduling around medical appointments or family obligations.
Optimal Group Composition
Child-Centered Group Play Therapy typically involves one to two other children during their sessions, allowing each child to learn and practice new skills with peers. Research generally recommends 6 to 12 individuals in a group for optimal therapeutic outcomes.
Readiness & Safety: When Group Is Not the Right Fit
Safety Considerations for Group Play Therapy
Contraindications for Group Settings
Group play therapy may not be appropriate for children who:
- Display aggressive behaviors that could harm peers
- Have active suicidal ideation requiring intensive monitoring
- Are in acute crisis states requiring immediate intervention
- Have severe social anxiety that prevents any peer interaction
Readiness Assessment Criteria
Children ready for group play therapy typically demonstrate:
- Basic ability to follow simple safety rules
- Minimal capacity for peer interaction (even if limited)
- Absence of behaviors that could traumatize other group members
- Emotional regulation sufficient to participate in 30-60 minute sessions
Therapists follow eight child-centered principles including establishing only those limitations that are necessary for safety.
Pre-Group Preparation
Individual Assessment Phase
Before joining a group, children may benefit from:
- Initial individual sessions to establish therapeutic rapport
- Assessment of social readiness and safety behaviors
- Development of basic emotional regulation skills
- Parent consultation to ensure home support
Gradual Introduction
Some children may transition from individual to group therapy as their skills develop and their comfort with peer interaction increases.
How Parents Can Support Progress at Home
Creating a Supportive Home Environment
Establishing Therapeutic Routines
Parents can support progress by establishing routines, setting clear boundaries, and providing consistent positive reinforcement. A supportive home environment reinforces the skills and behaviors learned in therapy.
Communication Strategies
Effective parental support includes promoting open and honest communication between parents and their child" and creating a safe and supportive environment where their child feels comfortable expressing their feelings and thoughts.
Filial Therapy: Training Parents as Therapeutic Agents
What Is Filial Therapy?
Filial therapy provides caregivers (typically parents) with training in basic play therapy techniques so they can use these techniques with their own children. This approach empowers parents to become therapeutic agents in their children's lives.
Core Filial Therapy Techniques
Parents learn four basic skills: "Structuring" the play environment, "Empathic listening" to reflect emotions, setting appropriate limits, and providing "reflective commentary" on the child's play.
Implementation at Home
The recommended approach for Filial therapy includes conducting weekly 30-minute child-led play using standardized toy kits where parents practice behavioral descriptions to avoid performance pressure.
Practical Home Support Strategies
Daily Connection Time
- Set aside 15-30 minutes daily for child-led play
- Follow your child's lead without directing activities
- Use reflective listening: "I see you're building a tall tower"
- Avoid immediate problem-solving or teaching moments
Emotional Validation
Parents should accept their child unconditionally and create a safe emotional space where feelings are welcomed without judgment. This means responding to your child's play with curiosity rather than immediately correcting or redirecting their behavior. When children feel truly accepted for who they are in the moment, they're more likely to open up about their inner experiences and develop healthy emotional regulation skills.
Supporting Skill Generalization
Help children practice skills learned in therapy:
- Role-play social situations at home
- Practice emotional regulation techniques during daily routines
- Celebrate small improvements and progress
- Maintain consistent expectations and boundaries
Collaboration with Therapists
Regular Communication
Ongoing meetings with parents provide opportunities to address other needs the child may have that are not currently being met and allow therapists to provide or recommend appropriate resources.
Goal Setting and Monitoring
Parents and therapists work together to establish concrete, measurable and observable goals to ensure that progress can be tracked.
FAQ: Which Group Is Play Therapy Often Used to Treat? (Exact Match)
Q: Which group is play therapy often used to treat?
A: Play therapy is most commonly used to treat children ages 3-12 experiencing:
- Anxiety disorders (separation anxiety, school refusal, generalized anxiety)
- Trauma and grief (following loss, divorce, abuse, or witnessing violence)
- ADHD and attention difficulties (hyperactivity, impulsivity, focus challenges)
- Autism spectrum disorders (social communication, peer interaction skills)
- Behavioral problems (aggression, defiance, emotional dysregulation)
- Social-emotional difficulties (low self-esteem, peer relationship struggles)
Meta-analytic research of 93 studies found that "after play therapy, the average treated child was functioning at 0.80 standard deviations better than children not treated".
Q: How do I know if my child needs group or individual play therapy?
A: Choose group play therapy when:
- Social skills development is a primary goal
- Your child would benefit from peer modeling and interaction
- Cost-effectiveness is important
- Your child can safely participate without harming others
Choose individual play therapy when:
- Your child has experienced severe trauma requiring specialized attention
- Safety concerns exist regarding aggressive or self-harming behaviors
- Highly customized treatment is needed
- Your child has extreme social anxiety preventing group participation
Q: How long does play therapy typically last?
A: While there is no fixed number of sessions that is adequate for play therapy since each child has his/her unique problems, research suggests in a majority of the cases, 12–20 sessions may be sufficient.
Q: Can parents participate in their child's play therapy?
A: Yes, through several approaches:
- Observation: Parents may observe sessions to understand techniques
- Filial therapy: Parents receive training to conduct therapeutic play at home
- Parent-child sessions: Joint sessions to strengthen relationships
- Consultation: Regular meetings to discuss progress and home strategies