18 Free Resources For Assessing Play Themes in Child Centered Play Therapy

Interpreting play themes - aka “what the heck did that mean” or “are they just playing?” is one of the most frequent questions that comes up for therapists in Child Centered Play Therapy.  

And today? Get ready to cut through the confusion because I am serving you up my best-of-the-best resources to increase your confidence and clarity when identifying themes in the playroom!

First, let’s start with my top resources for building your foundation of understanding play themes in Child Centered Play Therapy: 

• First, check out more HERE about why knowing play themes is essential in play therapy! 
• You need this next resource HERE if you have ever thought - “are they just playing or is this a play theme?” This blog dives deep into answering this question! 
• AND we can’t really start talking about play themes if we don’t talk about development.  Check out more HERE about why understanding age appropriate play is essential for understanding play themes! 
• Another essential tool for assessing play themes? Context!  Check out more HERE about how to use context to make sense of play! 

Next, let’s build up your skills for how to identify and make sense of play themes: 

• First grab your free download HERE to guide you through how to identify a play theme! 
• Next learn the top three ways you can identify a play theme HERE! 
• Check out the top 5 questions you NEED to be asking to go deeper with play themes HERE! 

Then there’s parents - they want to know what you’re doing with kids any why.  Often parents worry that you are “just playing” with their child and not getting down to the serious reasons why they came to therapy in the first place.  

If you need more support with parents and Child Centered Play Therapy - this section is for you! 

• Check out more HERE about why you should be talking about play themes with parents! 
• Next, check out my top 4 tips for sharing themes with parents in the playroom HERE! 
• Lastly, if you still need some support explaining the therapeutic powers of play in Child Centered Play Therapy check out my absolutely FREE mini course HERE! 

Next, let’s talk a little bit about the toys! In order to play out themes kids need a variety of toys in different categories.  In general kids will be drawn to the toys they need to express, work through, and resolve the difficulties in their lives.  

Check out these resources for making sure you have the toys you need for kids to play out their most essential themes: 

• Kids need to see themselves in the toys - period. It creates safety and security to allow them to process the big things that brought them into the playroom.  Check out my most comprehensive list of multicultural miniatures HERE!
• Check out more about how to stock your Child Centered Play Therapy office with these resources HERE and HERE that are full of source lists and inspiration! 
• Check out more HERE about why some of my toys in my playroom might be different than yours!  Regional toys can make all the difference!
• Lastly, don’t go throwing that broken toy out in the trash just yet!  Check out more HERE about why you need broken toys in your playroom! 

Annnnd I saved the best for last!  Here is where we get detailed and go deep.  Check out these resources for the deep dive you need in dissecting play themes! 

• First sign up for this absolutely FREE Mini Master Class HERE to help you discover the themes behind four common play sequences. 
• Next, login to this absolutely FREE Mini Master Class HERE to explore the top three play themes kids play out in the kitchen! 
• Then, dive into potential play themes with clients who ask for toys HERE! And as a bonus you’ll learn three questions to help you go deeper!
• Lastly check out the importance of the setup HERE! Learn more about when setting up is actually the most important part. 

Wheew! Are you still with me?

I hope these essential 18 resources helps support you in your Child Centered Play Therapy practice to not just skim the surface of play but to unlock the powerful and healing meaning behind these moments! This curated list of resources will equip you with the tools to confidently identify and interpret play themes! Whether you’re a seasoned therapist or just starting out, these insights can transform the way you show up for your clients.

AND if you are looking for more resources and support around play therapy themes, check out the training Dinosaurs In The Dollhouse: Interpreting Themes in Play Therapy  and learn the 7 frameworks and tools to interpret play themes with TONS of case examples! ​​

---

---

BLOG | DOWNLOADS + FREE RESOURCES | COURSES

---

Loading...