Play Therapy is designed to help children. The sessions are structured to motivate a child to explore the events, that have transpired at a pace that is comfortable for the child, using communication through words but mainly through the inclusion of play. Play Therapy can help the child to communicate their thoughts, feelings, unresolved trauma and work towards self-growth. Hellmuth is known to be the first therapist to use PT, who specialized in working with children. She introduced a formalized form of play therapy in 1921. The therapist provides a safe and comfortable environment which also provides a space for the child to play. The play space is often called the playroom and it has toys that helps children express their feelings and foster healthy actions. The initial session is focused on building a rapport with the child and letting them play as they wish in the beginning and then slowly directing them towards specific play tools that might be encouraging for them with an expression of their emotions, problem-solving, social skills and allied.

Toys used in play therapy are sandbox, dolls, stuffed animals, indoor games, sports-related stuff, clay, music and allied. Even though it is mainly used to treat children but it can also be effective in treating adolescents and adults

It can be helpful with various issues: