This therapy incorporates an array of play and creative arts techniques to alleviate chronic, mild, and moderate emotional and psychological issues of children that are leading to behavioral problems or that are preventing children from embracing their potential. Play therapy techniques may be used for children of all ages, and some techniques have efficacy with adults, as well as with families and groups.

Some of the techniques used in play therapy are:

1. Visualization: many uses are available to this technique, with the purpose being to engage the imagination where there are no barriers to reality, allowing the client to alter his/or her view of problems, consider strengths, or reconsider expectations about others. For example, a client may be invited to imagine that he/or she is camping in the woods in any structure he/or she likes (i.e. a sleeping bag in the open air, pup tent, large tent, cabin, cave) when a terrible storm begins; the client is asked what happens to him/or her and to draw a picture of himself/or herself before, during, and after the storm is over.

2. Storytelling: invite the client to record a make-believe show with the therapist as the guest of honor. Make an introduction of the client, noting important elements and content. Once complete, ask if there is a lesson or moral and whether any details are needed, and make positive comments (i.e. powerful, exciting, unusual, captivating). Turn off the recording device to gather any additional information needed (i.e. symbols, important actors, themes, emotional reactions), then tell the therapist's version of the story (i.e. same characters, situation, setting) only revised for improved resolution to conflicts or adding in coping or behavior changes.

3. Drama: have the client draw who he/or she would like to be, asking reflective questions about what is drawn, identifying behaviors that the person has that could assist in problems/goals, then invite the client to engage in the behaviors (i.e. young children may select superheroes and act as if they are the superhero). Variants may be having clients take on an unfamiliar role to change perspectives or practice a new behavior, or act as themselves in a situation or as a symbolic character or family member.

4. Sculpting: in a group, divide the members into two parts, one that will be the "artists" and one that will be the "clay," and have the "artists" sculpt the "clay" with ground rules of not touching the "clay". Once the sculptures are completed, the leader can tour the exhibit of sculptures, listening to the creator share about the creation process and how it is significant. Then have the members change roles. This can also be done in family therapy or with a sibling group to explore the impact of members on one another.

5. Music: the client may be asked to bring in music that is meaningful, listen to it with the therapist, talk about the thoughts and feelings generated, and discuss how cognitions and emotions impact/and are impacted by the client's current circumstances. The client could also write a song.

6. Art: art is tied directly to the unconscious and brings out tangible symbols of emotions to the surface, and also allows the client to become more self-aware in a non-threatening medium. Traditional materials (crayons, paper, finger paint, markers, paints, clay, paste, glitter, clue, scissors, string, stickers) may be used, or electronic media may be incorporated. Art may be used alone or with other techniques.

7. Clay: clay can be used as art, or tied to other therapeutic goals, such as rolling it into a ball and smashing it, squeezing it through the fingers, or placing it in varying amounts to represent values of something, someone, or a decision.

8. Puppets: these may be used by clients to reenact scenes, play out feelings, practice new behaviors, facilitate decision-making, develop communication skills, decrease isolation, play out fantasies, address thoughts, and express strong emotions.

9. Sandplay: sand trays may be used wet or dry, and children are offered miniatures in several categories to create a "world" or "scene". Categories include: Symbolic Objects (i.e. treasure chests, wishing wells), Natural Objects (i.e. shells, bones), Structures (i.e. bridges, gates), Vegetation (i.e. shrubs, trees), Animals (i.e. wild, domestic, prehistoric), Vehicles (land, space, war), People (i.e. fantasy, domestic, military), and Buildings (i.e. castles, schools, high rise). Sand play may or may not be directed.