How often does play therapy take to show
improvement and how often should a child attend
sessions?
Research suggests that it takes an average of 20 play therapy sessions to resolve
the problems of the typical child referred for treatment. Of course, some children
may improve much faster while more serious or ongoing problems may take longer
to resolve (Landreth, 2002; Carmichael, 2006).

1. Initial sessions: The first 4–6 sessions are often spent building trust and
rapport between the child and therapist.

2. Average duration: Around 20 sessions is an average timeframe for most
children to achieve their therapeutic goals.

Things to consider:

• The total number of sessions is determined on an individual basis, and the
therapist will regularly discuss your child's progress with you.
Parent/caregiver updates occur roughly every 4-5 sessions.

• Sessions are typically held once a week/fortnightly to establish
consistency, but the frequency may change depending on the child's
progress and what works best for the child and family.

What are some signs that a child could benefit from play
therapy?

• Emotional dysregulation

• Anxiety or worries

• Behaviour challenges

• Big feelings or meltdowns

• Friendship issues

• Trauma or major life changes

• School or daycare difficulties

• Low confidence or self-esteem