Is Individual Play Therapy Better Than Family Play Therapy?

Is Individual Play Therapy Better Than Family Play Therapy?

When we think about therapy—especially in our early training—our minds often default to one-on-one work with adults. That’s the foundation laid in most graduate programs. Even in play therapy training, the focus often centers around individual sessions with children, mirroring that same adult-centric model. But here’s the thing: children don’t live in a vacuum. Their lives are intricately tied to parents, caregivers, and siblings. So when it comes to healing and growth, should we be rethinking how we approach therapy with kids?

Let’s unpack the pros and cons of individual versus family play therapy—and why it’s not as simple as choosing one over the other.

The Case for Individual Play Therapy

Individual play therapy offers a private, protected space where children can explore their inner world. It's easier to manage logistically—one child, one therapist. Many children love the time to express themselves freely, with minimal resistance.

Therapists often feel more confident in this format. It’s familiar. There’s no pressure of managing multiple personalities in one room. For play therapists still learning how to engage parents or feeling unsure about how to shift into a more systemic approach, this format feels safe. It allows for strong rapport with the child and structured, focused sessions.

But let’s be honest—how many times have we heard (or said), “I love working with kids. I don’t love working with parents”? That hesitation often stems from imposter syndrome or discomfort, especially if your training didn’t prepare you to navigate the parent dynamic. And when that happens, parents get left out. Or they're added in occasionally—without any true shift in clinical mindset.

The Drawbacks of Individual-Only Play Therapy

Relying solely on individual sessions limits what you can observe. You miss the in-the-moment interactions that offer insight into what’s actually going on in the family system. You’re piecing together secondhand reports, hoping you’ve got the full picture. Parents might be insightful, but they also might be overwhelmed, scared, or defensive.

And the logistics? You end up juggling extra sessions, scheduling separate parent meetings (if you even have time for them), or fielding constant emails, texts, and phone calls trying to fill in the gaps. Without parents in the session, follow-through can be inconsistent at best.

Why Family Play Therapy Changes the Game

When you bring family members into the session, you get to witness the system as it functions in real time. You can observe strengths and challenges as they unfold, providing richer, more accurate case conceptualization.

Even more powerful—you can coach parents in the moment. They get to practice attachment-based strategies with your support. You model, they try, and you give feedback. Then they take those tools and apply them at home. Suddenly, the work is happening every day—not just for one hour a week.

And that has ripple effects. Real, generational ripple effects. We’re talking about breaking cycles of trauma, poverty, and disconnection. That’s the power of family play therapy. It equips the people who will be there long after you’re gone.

But It's Not Always Easy...

There are very real challenges. Family play therapy can feel intimidating. There are more people, more personalities, and more complexity. You might have parents at different levels of readiness. There may be divorced families, foster care dynamics, or safety issues that limit who can participate. And without the right training or a clear model, sessions can become chaotic.

That’s why having a structured approach and proper training matters. It’s not just “individual therapy + parents.” It’s a different mindset altogether—one that considers systems, roles, developmental stages, and emotional safety for everyone in the room.

So What Now?

You don’t have to pick a side. In fact, you probably shouldn’t.

In practice, I use both individual and family play therapy. I might begin with individual sessions to build rapport and assess. But from day one, I tell parents: this is a collaborative process. They are part of the treatment plan. At some point, we will shift into family work—and I help them understand why.

Family play therapy is not for every session or every client, but when it’s integrated intentionally, it’s a game-changer. It leads to deeper healing, more lasting change, and empowered parents who can carry the work forward.

Need More Support?

If this resonates, but you’re thinking, “I want to do family play therapy, but I don’t feel confident yet,” you're not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out on your own.

📚 Attachment-Focused Family Play Therapy – My live training (in-person or virtual) will walk you through the neuroscience, roles, and specific strategies to effectively use family play therapy.

👥 Play Therapy Academy & Elevation Circle – Whether you need hands-on case consultation (Play Therapy Academy) or a place for community, connection, and growth (Elevation Circle), I’ve created spaces where you don’t have to do this work alone.

You can bring families into the healing process. You just need the tools and the support to do it with confidence.

Categories: : Attachment-Focused Family Play Therapy, Play Therapy, Play Therapy Model, Podcast