​Traditional therapy, or 'talk therapy', is effective for older adolescents and adults (who are cognitive and rational), however, children under age 13 do not possess the verbal capacity to discuss their challenges meaningfully. It is simply beyond a child's developmental capacity to think or talk through the consequences of their decisions, reflect upon how their behaviour impacts others or use logic to solve personal problems. 

I am sure that by this point, you have talked at length to your child about their issues! And that they have probably had similar discussions with their teachers and other significant adults. However, when we try to talk with children rationally, there is a disconnect. Children live in the here and now and are driven by the emotional centres of their brains. It is through play, rather than talking, that children learn and process their world because play is emotional and active. 

If a child is referred to me for aggression or anxiety, I won't need to talk with them about it - I will experience it first-hand in the playroom! Through play, we are then able to explore and resolve their issues, build new skills, and increase the child's feelings of competence and confidence.

Play is the most natural, dynamic, and self-healing process in which children engage. Play therapy is therefore the most suitable model of child counselling available.