Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is a research-supported therapeutic approach that empowers children to process emotions and experiences through play within a safe, nurturing relationship. Grounded in humanistic psychology, CCPT is built on the belief that children have an innate capacity for growth and self-direction when provided with empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuine understanding. The therapeutic relationship between child and therapist is central to healing—creating an environment of trust and emotional safety that allows children to explore and resolve their feelings. Studies consistently demonstrate CCPT’s effectiveness in reducing disruptive behaviors, enhancing emotional awareness, and improving relationships at home and school. By honoring each child’s natural ability to heal and grow, CCPT fosters long-term emotional well-being and resilience.

Play therapy is more effective for children than traditional talk therapy because it aligns with how children naturally communicate and process their experiences. While adults rely on verbal reasoning to express thoughts and emotions, children use play as their primary language. Through play, they can symbolically express feelings, explore challenges, and find solutions in a way that feels safe and developmentally appropriate. This approach honors the child’s emotional and cognitive abilities rather than expecting them to engage in adult-style conversation about complex inner experiences.

This difference is often misunderstood due to adulthood bias—the tendency to assume that children think, reason, and process emotions the same way adults do. In reality, the rational and abstract reasoning parts of the brain, particularly the prefrontal cortex, are still developing well into adolescence and are not fully mature until around the age of 25. Because children younger than 13 do not yet have the capacity for abstract thought or advanced self-reflection, play therapy meets them at their developmental level, using play as a bridge between their inner world and emotional growth. By engaging children in their own language of play, therapists can support healing, emotional regulation, and resilience far more effectively than through verbal therapy alone.

Children as young as two years old can begin therapy when emotional, behavioral, or developmental concerns arise. From ages 2 to 14, therapy—particularly Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)—is tailored to meet the child’s stage of development and communication abilities. Younger children express themselves primarily through play rather than words, making play therapy an ideal approach for helping them process emotions, build coping skills, and strengthen relationships in a way that feels natural and safe.

Therapists trained in child development and play therapy possess specialized expertise in understanding the unique emotional, cognitive, and social needs of children at different ages. This training allows them to recognize developmental milestones, interpret play behaviors, and provide interventions that align with each child’s level of understanding. By combining developmental knowledge with evidence-based play therapy techniques, the therapist creates a supportive environment where children can explore, express, and grow at their own pace.

While both psychotherapists and psychologists support mental health and emotional well-being, their roles differ in scope and approach. Psychologists are trained to conduct psychological testing and provide formal diagnoses, while psychotherapists focus on providing treatment through therapeutic interventions that promote emotional growth, healing, and coping. 

In Ontario, only psychologists, psychological associates, and medical doctors (such as family physicians or psychiatrists) are legally authorized to make and communicate mental health diagnoses under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA). Psychotherapists and other mental health professionals provide essential therapeutic support but cannot formally diagnose. Families seeking a diagnosis for school, medical, or treatment purposes should consult their family doctor for a referral to a psychologist or psychiatrist. This ensures assessments are completed within legal guidelines while allowing therapies like Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) to support a child’s emotional well-being regardless of diagnosis.

In Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), the focus is not on diagnosing or labeling a child, but on understanding their experiences and supporting their natural capacity for self-regulation and resilience. CCPT builds foundational coping skills—such as emotional expression, problem-solving, and self-awareness—that help children manage challenges effectively, regardless of a formal diagnosis. By emphasizing relationship, empathy, and emotional safety, play therapy meets children where they are developmentally, addressing their mental health needs in a way that honors their individuality and innate potential for growth.

At Anchor Child Therapy, we do not offer direct billing to insurance providers; however, we provide detailed receipts containing all the necessary information—such as the therapist’s credentials and registration number—so you can easily submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement. Most extended health insurance plans in Ontario do cover services provided by Registered Psychotherapists, though coverage amounts and requirements may vary. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to confirm your specific coverage details before beginning therapy.

The cost of therapy sessions at Anchor Child Therapy is $180 per clinical hour, with child sessions lasting 45 minutes and parent/adult sessions lasting 50 minutes. Services provided by Registered Psychotherapists are tax-exempt, meaning no HST is added to the session fee. 

To help make therapy more accessible, we also offer a sliding scale option through our student program, which provides reduced-fee sessions with qualified student therapists under supervision. Please note that sessions with student therapists are not typically covered by insurance but offer an affordable alternative for those seeking support.

Our cancellation policy requires a minimum of 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours notice, or missed appointments without notice, will be charged the full session fee. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in maintaining this policy, as it helps ensure consistency and respect for both clients’ and the therapist’s time.