Finding therapy for a child can feel overwhelming for parents, especially while managing the everyday demands of family life. There are many questions: Where do we begin? Can we use insurance? Does the entire family need to attend? How do we know if the therapist is a good fit? These are similar concerns to those we face when seeking therapy for ourselves.
Play is often described as the work of childhood. It facilitates the growth and integration of emotions, ideas, and development. Through play, children come to understand themselves and the world around them. As they grow, they differentiate themselves from their family and environment. In the process, symbols often emerge—heroes, villains, injured animals, wise healers, fairies, hunters, and builders. These symbols are a window into the child’s inner world.
Jungian play therapy doesn't focus on changing specific behaviors; instead, it delves into the deeper, symbolic meaning behind a child’s actions and emotions. Depth therapy for children goes beyond behavior and addresses the unconscious material that shapes a child’s psyche. As Jungian Analyst Eric Green wrote, “Jungian play therapy is a dynamic, creative approach to counseling children that emphasizes symbolic meaning.” In play therapy, children express their thoughts and feelings through stories, games, and art—allowing them to engage with what might otherwise be difficult to articulate. For example, a child might tell a story about a storm approaching, express fears of being swept away in a flood, or build a castle to feel safe. They may describe something they’ve built in Roblox or Mindcraft that is communicating something important. These are all examples of symbolic play that help a child process their emotions.
Therapy offers a protected space where children can explore and integrate their emotions through symbols, which strengthens the connection between the developing ego and the deeper Self. In Jungian terms, the ego is the conscious self, while the Self represents a more integrated and whole aspect of the psyche, the unconscious, and the archetypal level of human experience. Play therapy helps to nurture this connection, allowing for emotional growth, resilience, and self-awareness. These symbols are lifelong treasures that can be supportive of a child’s development and individuation process for many years to come.
Depth-oriented play therapy offers more than just behavioral changes or symptom management; it fosters deep, lasting healing. Rather than invalidating the child’s natural ability to heal, it empowers them to create meaningful symbols and discover their own path toward becoming a unique, integrated self. Over time, there are shifts in how a child processes their experience of self and the world, and meaningful growth can happen on their own inner self-unfolding time line.
If you have questions about depth oriented psychotherapy for your child, reach out today.