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At Anchor Child Therapy, we recognize that true healing for children cannot come from adult-driven solutions, but from empowering the child’s own inner resources. That’s why we use only Child-Centered Play Therapy—an approach that actively resists Adulthood Bias. By trusting the child’s process, CCPT honors the child’s autonomy, respects their pace, and fosters genuine self-discovery and resilience.
At Anchor Child Therapy, we recognize that true healing for children cannot come from adult-driven solutions, but from empowering the child’s own inner resources. That’s why we use only Child-Centered Play Therapy—an approach that actively resists Adulthood Bias. By trusting the child’s process, CCPT honors the child’s autonomy, respects their pace, and fosters genuine self-discovery and resilience.
Benefits of Child-Centered Play Therapy
Benefits of Child-Centered Play Therapy
Through CCPT, children can:
Through CCPT, children can:
- Express and process emotions that meet their developmental needs.
- Heal from trauma, grief, or change by safely reenacting and making sense of experiences.
- Develop coping and problem-solving skills that carry into daily life.
- Build confidence and self-worth through choice, mastery, and acceptance.
- Strengthen relationships by learning empathy, communication, and trust.
- Reduce stress and anxiety as play provides both release and regulation.
CCPT is effective for children experiencing . . .
CCPT is effective for children experiencing . . .
- Anxiety, depression, or frequent anger
- Behavioral challenges or emotional dysregulation
- Trauma, loss, or major life transitions
- Difficult family dynamics (e.g., divorce or conflict)
- Developmental or learning differences and neurodivergences (e.g. ADHD, ASD, OCD)
Why CCPT?
Why CCPT?
Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is an evidence-based, developmentally attuned approach that empowers children to express themselves through play—the language of childhood. This therapy honors the child as the expert in their own experience and provides a safe, nurturing space where they can explore emotions, process challenges, and move toward growth and healing at their own pace.
Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is an evidence-based, developmentally attuned approach that empowers children to express themselves through play—the language of childhood. This therapy honors the child as the expert in their own experience and provides a safe, nurturing space where they can explore emotions, process challenges, and move toward growth and healing at their own pace.
CCPT is based on children's unique developmental needs
CCPT is based on children's unique developmental needs
Understanding Child-Centered Play Therapy
Understanding Child-Centered Play Therapy
At its core, CCPT is a child-led and non-directive approach. The therapist follows the child’s lead, allowing the child to choose toys, themes, and activities that reflect their inner world. This process gives children the freedom to express themselves symbolically and naturally—without the pressure to articulate complex emotions verbally.
At its core, CCPT is a child-led and non-directive approach. The therapist follows the child’s lead, allowing the child to choose toys, themes, and activities that reflect their inner world. This process gives children the freedom to express themselves symbolically and naturally—without the pressure to articulate complex emotions verbally.
The playroom is intentionally designed to foster safety and creativity, stocked with toys, art materials, and expressive tools that support emotional exploration. Within this space, children are free to experiment, express, and make sense of their experiences in their own way.
The playroom is intentionally designed to foster safety and creativity, stocked with toys, art materials, and expressive tools that support emotional exploration. Within this space, children are free to experiment, express, and make sense of their experiences in their own way.
The Core Principles of CCPT
The Core Principles of CCPT
- Unconditional Positive Regard – The therapist accepts the child wholly and without judgment, creating a foundation of safety, trust, and belonging.
- Reflective Responses – The therapist reflects the child’s emotions and play themes to help them build insight, emotional literacy, and understanding.
- Respect for the Child’s Process – The therapist trusts the child’s innate ability to move toward growth and does not rush, direct, or impose adult interpretations.
The Role of the Therapist
The Role of the Therapist
The therapist in CCPT is an active observer and empathetic partner, not a director or problem-solver. Their role is to:
The therapist in CCPT is an active observer and empathetic partner, not a director or problem-solver. Their role is to:
- Reflect and label emotions that surface during play to promote emotional awareness.
- Maintain safety and structure through gentle, necessary boundaries.
- Understand and interpret play with sensitivity, allowing the child to create meaning and develop internal resources.
Addressing Adulthood Bias
Addressing Adulthood Bias
Dr. Brenna Hicks, a leading voice in play therapy, coined the term Adulthood Bias to describe the common tendency for adults—including well-meaning therapists, teachers, and parents—to view children’s experiences through an adult lens as cognitive, rational, and verbal.
Dr. Brenna Hicks, a leading voice in play therapy, coined the term Adulthood Bias to describe the common tendency for adults—including well-meaning therapists, teachers, and parents—to view children’s experiences through an adult lens as cognitive, rational, and verbal.
Adulthood Bias causes adults to assume that children should think, reason, and communicate like adults BUT children are driven by emotions and experiences not logic and cognitions. We tend to assumes that children are cognitive when in reality that part of the brain is under construction until age 25. Instead, children use their feelings and sensations to explore, experience, and act in the world.
Adulthood Bias causes adults to assume that children should think, reason, and communicate like adults BUT children are driven by emotions and experiences not logic and cognitions. We tend to assumes that children are cognitive when in reality that part of the brain is under construction until age 25. Instead, children use their feelings and sensations to explore, experience, and act in the world.
This misunderstanding often leads to frustration, power struggles, and dismissive interactions with kids and is why child centered approaches are central to meet children where they are at developmentally instead of asking them to meet us. Being aware of adulthood bias makes us more effective and supportive in our interactions with children.
This misunderstanding often leads to frustration, power struggles, and dismissive interactions with kids and is why child centered approaches are central to meet children where they are at developmentally instead of asking them to meet us. Being aware of adulthood bias makes us more effective and supportive in our interactions with children.
Our Commitment
Our Commitment
At Anchor Child Therapy, we believe every child deserves to be understood on their terms—not through an adult’s expectations. By using only Child-Centered Play Therapy, we create a therapeutic environment free from Adulthood Bias, where children are trusted to lead, explore, and heal. Like an anchor providing steadiness amid life’s waves, CCPT helps children find emotional balance, self-trust, and strength as they grow.
At Anchor Child Therapy, we believe every child deserves to be understood on their terms—not through an adult’s expectations. By using only Child-Centered Play Therapy, we create a therapeutic environment free from Adulthood Bias, where children are trusted to lead, explore, and heal. Like an anchor providing steadiness amid life’s waves, CCPT helps children find emotional balance, self-trust, and strength as they grow.
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