Could Group Play Therapy Help My Child?

What is Group Play Therapy?

Group Play Therapy is a relational therapeutic approach in which a therapist works with a small group of children in a playroom setting. The therapist provided reflections and tracking to the children as they interact with one another and the therapist. Different from individual play therapy however, is that the children are able to interact with peers to practice social skills, emotion regulation, and coping skills in an environment that is more similar to the outside world than individual play therapy. Children are able to react to one another with real time reflection by the therapist on their affects (nonverbals, tone, and body language), moods, and behaviors. 

Group Therapy can be directive or non-directive (often called “child-centered”). Directive therapy involves the therapist prompting or engaging the child in a chosen game or activity, while nondirective therapy is child-led. Some groups involve both directive and non-directive time while others are fully one or the other. The pros of directive activities are that they can target specific topics that group members are working on, such as building coping skills or identifying feelings. Nondirective play allows for these themes to arise naturally and are identified by the therapist. Research shows that both directive and nondirective forms of therapy are useful and can help children learn skills and apply them.

During non-directive play, the therapist uses different types of comments to help children feel seen, understood, and connected to others. One type is called a tracking statement, which is simply the therapist describing what a child is doing in the moment. This shows the child that the therapist is paying attention and values their actions. For example, the therapist might say, “Jack, you’re building the castle and your face is showing me how focused you are.”

Another type of comment, used specifically in group therapy, is called a linking statement. These help children feel more connected to one another. For instance, the therapist might say, “Jill, you’re watching as Jack builds the castle.” This doesn’t tell Jill what to do—it just gently draws her attention to the group activity, which can help her feel included and encouraged to join in. These types of statements help build cooperation, empathy, and group problem-solving skills.

Therapists may also make reflection statements, where they describe the emotional or relational themes that come up in the group. These help kids begin to name their feelings and understand what’s happening during play. Like tracking, reflection shows children that their experiences matter and that someone is there to help make sense of them.

In group therapy, just like in life, there are limits to keep everyone safe. The therapist sets boundaries around behavior, especially if something unsafe happens—like hitting or breaking toys. If a child hits another, the therapist might say, “Jill, Jack is not for hitting. If you need to hit something, you can use this pillow.” If unsafe behavior continues, the group might end early to show that these rules are important for everyone’s safety.

Even smaller conflicts between kids are opportunities for growth. The therapist might help name the feelings involved so children learn how their actions affect others. For example: “Jack, you’re feeling sad because Jill took your crayon before you were done.” That simple reflection helps Jack feel understood and also gently lets Jill know that her choice had an impact. Children naturally want to be accepted by the group, so moments like this often help them correct their behavior on their own—without needing punishment or correction.

How could group therapy help my child?

Group therapy has been shown to improve many symptoms and presentations including aggression, self-control, self-confidence, self-esteem, emotional regulation, social skills, anxiety, resilience, emotional expression, and problem solving skills. 

My child is already in individual therapy; can they still benefit from group therapy?

Yes! Children can benefit from being in both individual and group therapy. Group therapy is also often less expensive and can be a good way to get your child involved in therapy even if individual therapy is not financially possible for your family at this time. 

There are many benefits to having your child engage in group therapy. In a group therapy environment, children have the opportunity to both receive help from peers and the facilitator, and give help to other children. The children also watch other children give and receive help, which increases the likelihood that they will copy the modeled behavior and generalize it to outside of the play therapy space. 

Group therapy is also closer to reality than individual therapy given that there are multiple children in a shared space. Group therapy can allow children to practice emotion regulation, communication, and monitor their behaviors in an environment more similar than individual therapy to the outside world. Similarly, children in group therapy also must reflect on their own behavior following the reactions of their peers. The facilitator tracks and reflects feelings and behaviors of each child, allowing children to have the social consequences of their actions more directly communicated to them than in the outside world or in individual therapy. 

Finally, children feel less threatened in a new environment when there are other children present, so therapy may not be as daunting an idea for a child who struggles with new situations if they are aware there will be other children involved. 

How can I get my child involved in Group Play Therapy?

You can always ask your child’s individual therapist about groups and further resourcing. Furthermore, In Bloom is holding a play therapy group this summer for ages 5-7 centered around building social skills. If you would like to learn more information, reach out to Grace Lindahl at grace@inbloomcounseling.net.