5 Essential Tips for Family Play Therapy Sessions

Let’s face it: as play therapists, we all want to see our clients make meaningful progress. But sometimes—even with the best of intentions—we unknowingly hold back the very breakthroughs we’re trying to foster.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of frustration where nothing seems to work or you keep hearing from parents that change isn’t happening at home, you’re not alone. In this episode of the Next Level Play Therapy podcast, we explore five subtle ways you might be sabotaging the progress you’re working so hard to achieve—and what you can do instead.

1. Parents Say Nothing Is Working

You’re hearing it over and over again: “We’ve tried everything and nothing works.” You offer suggestions, but parents are discouraged and frustrated. They don’t see the same changes you’re seeing in the playroom, and they’re starting to lose faith in the process.

This is a huge red flag. If what’s happening in session doesn’t translate into the child’s daily life, it’s time to rethink the structure and who’s involved.

2. You're Getting Bombarded Between Sessions

Texts, emails, voicemails—your inbox is full of questions and concerns from parents trying to get help between sessions. It’s exhausting, and it’s a sign that something’s off. These messages often signal that parents don’t feel equipped or empowered. They’re relying on you for crisis control instead of learning tools that carry over into real life.

3. Parents Doubt the Process (or You)

If parents are beginning to question what happens in your sessions—asking, “Why am I not seeing any changes?” or “What is play therapy actually doing?”—it could mean they don’t feel included in the work. Worse, they may be getting conflicting messages from pediatricians, teachers, or even their own therapists.

When parents don’t understand the therapeutic process or their role in it, skepticism can grow fast—and that can halt progress.

4. There's a Disconnect Between Playroom and Home

Things might be going beautifully in your sessions. The child is engaged, expressive, even thriving. But parents report no change at home. This disconnect usually means there’s no bridge between what’s happening in the playroom and what’s happening in the child’s environment.

5. You're More Engaged with Your Notes Than the Family

Documentation is important—no one’s denying that. But if you’re spending significantly more time writing notes than you are talking to or meeting with family members, it might be a sign that your approach is too isolated. Healing happens in relationships, not just in records.

So, What Can You Do Instead?

It’s time to shift the mindset from “I work with the child” to “I work with the family system.”

Here’s why:

Secondhand information is limited. Relying solely on parent reports means you’re getting filtered observations. Helpful? Yes. Complete? No.
You get to see the dynamics in real time. When you include parents or caregivers in sessions, you observe their interactions, tone, body language, and patterns. You spot strengths and growth opportunities that might not be reported or even noticed by the parents themselves.
You coach and model in the moment. Whether you're working on co-regulation, attachment strategies, or conflict resolution, the session becomes a live lab. You teach, model, and support families as they practice together—right in front of you.
Change sticks better. When parents learn and rehearse therapeutic tools with their child in session, they’re more likely to use them confidently at home. That means less confusion, more consistency, and better long-term outcomes.

A Note of Caution: Don’t Just Add Parents Randomly

Adding parents to sessions isn’t just “individual therapy + a parent.” You need a framework. Without a clear model, these sessions can feel chaotic or unfocused. That’s where having a structured family play therapy model makes all the difference.

A solid model helps you define:

The role of the therapist
The role of the parent
The stages of treatment
What interventions are appropriate at each stage

Ready to Go Deeper?

If you’re realizing that your current model doesn’t give you a roadmap for integrating families into therapy, I’ve got a few options for support:

📘 Attachment-Focused Family Play Therapy Training
My live training walks you through the model I teach and use in my own practice, focused on helping children and families heal through attachment and neuroscience-based strategies. There's a virtual option and a live one in beautiful St. George, Utah.

🧠 Play Therapy Academy
Looking for mentorship, case feedback, or a way to meet your supervision hours toward becoming an RPT? This small-group consultation program offers just that—with two spots currently available.

Whether you’re a new therapist trying to find your footing or a seasoned one wanting to deepen your family work, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out solo.

Categories: : Attachment-Focused Family Play Therapy, Community, Play Therapy, Play Therapy Academy, Play Therapy Elevation Circle, Play Therapy Model