Play therapy is an evidence-based, therapeutic model founded on a number of psychological theories. Play is a child’s language. It expands self-knowledge, self-expression, social skills, empathy, self-actualization and self-efficacy. Play therapy for children includes puppets, storytelling, dolls, dress-up, games, lots of pretending and exploring gender roles with play in the kids' kitchen and workshop. Play therapy helps the client negotiate life’s events and challenges in manageable, age and developmentally appropriate portions. Play therapy also stimulates creative thinking and problem-solving skills, helps regulate emotions and increases self-esteem and self-confidence. Play therapy is like writing a book report—in session I’m reporting on the plot, including the feelings expressed, and in my head I’m teasing out the themes and metaphors in your child’s play sessions. This helps me determine progress and skills, and then translate that to parents. For teens this happens while using sand tray, where imagery and metaphor becomes concrete. Sand tray has the potential to be very rich and informative.