Play Therapy is geared toward young children (as young as two) and uses a variety of activities-such as painting, puppets, and dioramas (a re-creation of a natural setting which shows a specific moment in time) - to establish communication with the therapist and resolve problems. Play allows the child to express emotions and problems that would be too difficult to discuss with another person.
One example of a play therapist referral might be: a 5 year-old who is having trouble separating from mom and going to kindergarten. There are many more examples of more intense needs such as sexual or parental abuse. 
