What Does It Mean to Create a Sacred Space for Children in Play Therapy?

In the course of doing this work — showing up day after day for children and families — I’m often reminded that play therapy isn’t just a profession. It’s a calling.

Recently, while taking a course on Internal Family Systems (IFS), I found myself surprised by how much more healing was still possible in my own journey — layers I hadn’t yet explored, even after decades in the field and a lifetime of growth. That experience stirred a reflection on how we show up in the playroom — not just as therapists, but as healing presences who create sacred spaces for others.

Let’s talk about that sacred space. What does it mean? Why does it matter? And how do we hold it with reverence and responsibility?

What Is Sacred Space in Play Therapy?

Creating sacred space in the playroom doesn’t require religious practice or formal spirituality. But it does involve deep presence, intention, and reverence for the healing process.

At its heart, sacred space is about providing a free and protected place for children to explore difficult emotions, painful experiences, and their developing sense of self — all through the therapeutic powers of play. When we show up with authenticity, compassion, and curiosity, we give children and families a space to heal at the pace and depth that feels right for them.

We may not talk explicitly about spirituality in every session, but healing itself is often a spiritual journey — one that invites children to move from chaos to coherence, from disconnection to belonging, and from shame to self-worth.

Honoring the Uniqueness of Every Family’s Journey

As play therapists, we bring our whole selves into the playroom — our empathy, presence, and lived experiences. But we also need to hold a critical awareness: our role is to hold space, not to shape it based on our own beliefs.

That means honoring the diverse beliefs, values, and identities of every family. Some children and caregivers bring spiritual or religious traditions into the room; others may carry deep wounds from those very systems. Some may question their beliefs or be exploring new paths.

Our job is not to direct or instruct. It's to provide an unconditionally safe space for exploration. When a child integrates their spiritual life into play — maybe kneeling in prayer or referencing a deeply held belief — it’s not our place to label it. It’s our place to witness it.

Healing doesn’t come from control. It comes from trust. And we must trust that each child, given the right conditions, has an innate capacity to move toward wholeness.

Healing as a Spiritual Experience

I often say: my goal is to become the next Gandalf — the wise guide who helps others discover their own strength. In that spirit, creating sacred space is about being a calm, compassionate anchor in a child’s storm. Our therapeutic presence — the way we listen, the way we regulate, the way we simply sit with what is — is healing in itself.

We hold space for:

Emotion regulation through co-regulation
Unconditional positive regard that counters shame
Exploration without judgment that fosters autonomy
Meaning-making that restores agency and identity

These elements are spiritual in nature. Not because they come from a belief system, but because they tap into what is most human in us — our need for connection, belonging, and transformation.

When It Feels Like a Calling

Many of us didn’t just stumble into this work. We feel called to it.

Whether it’s helping families break intergenerational cycles of trauma, addiction, and disconnection… or watching a child come alive again after months of silence and fear — we are here for a reason. And sometimes, that reason needs to be remembered, especially on the hard days.

Creating sacred space means honoring your own path as a therapist too. It means checking your biases, doing your personal work, and returning to your why — again and again.

Whether you’re in your first year or your fortieth, your presence matters. How you show up matters. And the work you’re doing changes lives — often in ways you may never fully see.

Final Thoughts: Holding Sacred Space with Purpose

Sacred space in play therapy isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about holding the right kind of questions — and allowing children and families the room to answer them for themselves.

It’s about:

Trusting the process
Grounding in your own values without imposing them
Respecting each family’s unique journey
Creating space where healing is possible — and witnessed

At the core, we are companions in a child’s journey. We walk beside them with humility, curiosity, and care. And in doing so, we honor the sacredness of their story.

Want Support on Your Journey?

If this resonates with you, and you're seeking a supportive community of play therapists who share your passion, I invite you to explore:

Play Therapy Academy – a small-group consultation program to help you move from self-doubt to confident clinical decision-making.
Play Therapy Elevation Circle – a membership community offering guidance, case consultation, and connection (reopening soon).
Or browse self-paced courses on trauma-informed play therapy and neuroscience-based approaches.

Together, we grow. Together, we heal.

Categories: : Play Therapy, Play Therapy Academy, Play Therapy Elevation Circle, Play Therapy Model, Play Therapy Themes, Podcast