What is play therapy?
This developmentally appropriate form of therapy is designed to help kids express emotions, explore experiences, and process challenges. And it’s done in one of the most natural arenas: play.
In a safe and welcoming space, children use toys, art, storytelling, movement, and imagination to communicate what they might not yet have the words for. This might mean expressing grief, dealing with anxiety, trauma, or big life changes. Play gives kids a way to feel seen, soothed, and supported on their terms.
Play therapy isn’t just play. It’s healing, trust-building, and emotional growth disguised as a game of blocks, puppets, or drawing.
WHAT DOES HELP LOOK LIKE?
The Pathways Approach to Play Therapy
Children deserve therapeutic support that meets them where they are—not where adults expect them to be. Our licensed therapists are trained in child development, trauma-informed care, and therapeutic play techniques that help kids process difficult emotions in ways that feel safe and empowering.
Our approach works gently and intentionally to help children:
- Build emotional vocabulary and coping skills
- Develop trust and self-awareness
- Heal from early trauma or disruptions
- Strengthen their sense of self and agency
We also work closely with parents and caregivers to provide insight, tools, and support at home, because healing doesn’t stop when the session ends.
COMMON REASONS FOR PLAY THERAPY
Meet your San Diego play therapist
Victoria Perez, LCSW
Victoria is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and play therapist in San Diego who offers services in both English and Spanish, helping kids, teens, and young adults work through anxiety, trauma, school stress, identity development, relationship challenges, and big family transitions like separation or divorce. Victoria brings a warm, culturally sensitive approach that helps children feel safe enough to open up in their own way.
Families often choose Victoria because she blends play-based connection with other tools like CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, and a strengths-based lens, so kids can better understand their emotions, build confidence, and strengthen relationships at home and beyond.
- Credentials: Licensed Clinical Social Worker # 137980
- Specialty Areas: Childhood and adolescent anxiety, trauma, family transitions (divorce and separation), school stress, parent-child communication, emotional regulation, and building self-esteem in kids and teens
What sets our practice apart from other San Diego play therapy providers
- We look at the whole family system. Your child’s struggles do not happen in isolation. Our therapists consider what is happening at home, at school, and in your child’s relationships so we can support change where it matters most.
- Your child gets care that feels safe, warm, and natural. Play therapy works best when kids feel connected to their therapist. We take time to build trust, follow your child’s pace, and create space where big feelings can come out through play, art, storytelling, and conversation.
- Bilingual, culturally attuned care. We offer therapy in both English and Spanish and bring a culturally attuned approach that helps families feel seen, respected, and understood.
- We offer in-person therapy in two San Diego locations. Families can meet with us in Chula Vista or Sorrento Valley, with telehealth options available when online care is a better fit for your schedule.
- We are comfortable supporting complex family needs. Pathways works with children, teens, and families navigating anxiety, trauma, divorce, school stress, addiction in the family system, and step-down care after higher levels of treatment.
- We pair real connection with evidence-based care. Your child will not be rushed through a checklist. We tailor therapy to their age, personality, needs, and goals, using a flexible mix of play-based support and proven therapeutic tools.
- Parents are part of the process, too. Through family therapy, parent coaching, and our 2-day Family IOP when more support is needed, we help caregivers feel less alone and more equipped to support their child at home and beyond.
What to expect from the therapy process
Step 1: A free introductory call
We start with a no-pressure phone consultation so you can tell us what’s been going on, ask questions, and get a feel for whether Pathways is the right fit for your family. There’s no obligation to move forward; just a chance to feel things out.
Step 2: The intake session
Your first appointment gives us time to get to know your child, your family, and where you’re hoping therapy will help. For younger kids, parents are usually part of this first conversation so we can understand the bigger picture at home, school, and beyond.
Step 3: Ongoing play-based sessions
In ongoing sessions, your child can use play, art, games, storytelling, imagination, and creative expression to work through feelings at their own pace. Victoria also weaves in evidence-based tools, helping your child build skills they can use outside the therapy room.
Step 4: Family check-ins and progress reviews
Parents are an important part of the process, so we check in regularly to share insights, offer support, and adjust the plan as your child grows. Together, we’ll keep therapy focused on clear goals and real-life progress for your child and family.
FAQs about play therapy
What age is best for play therapy?
Play therapy is most often used with children ages 3 to 12, but creative and expressive approaches can also be helpful for teens and young adults. At Pathways, we adjust the work to your child’s developmental stage, so younger children may use more play, while older kids and teens may blend art, games, conversation, and skill-building.
What are some examples of play therapy?
Play therapy can include activities like drawing, storytelling, role-play, sand tray, puppets, board games, movement, or imaginative play. These tools give children a natural way to express feelings, work through challenges, practice problem-solving, and build emotional regulation skills without needing to explain everything perfectly with words.
How long does play therapy take to work?
Every child is different, so the timeline depends on your child’s needs, goals, and what they are working through. Some families notice meaningful shifts within a few months, while concerns related to trauma, anxiety, or ongoing family stress may benefit from longer-term support. We’ll set goals together and check in regularly so you always know how things are progressing.
Will I be involved in my child's therapy?
Yes. Parents and caregivers are an important part of the process because you know your child best, and lasting change often continues at home. We include regular parent check-ins to share insights, offer practical tools, and help the whole family feel more supported as your child grows.
Do you take insurance for play therapy?
Pathways is an out-of-network provider, so we don’t bill insurance directly. Many PPO plans offer reimbursement for therapy, and we can provide a monthly Superbill for you to submit to your insurance provider. We’re happy to talk through cost, reimbursement, and next steps during your free introductory call.
Do you want to talk to someone about play therapy in San Diego?
Call Us, and We Will Help You Get Started.
It only takes 2 minutes to get started on a lifetime of change!
*Pathways is a private-pay, non-insurance-based practice.
Find Your Way Home
Locations
Central San Diego
5755 Oberlin Dr, Suite 108
San Diego CA 92121
Chula Vista
1415 Ridgeback Rd, Suite 2
Chula Vista, CA 91910