Creating Safe Spaces for Healing: The Role of Play in Supporting Children Affected by War and Displacement
In recent news, we continue to hear about the profound impact of war and displacement on children worldwide, and I often find myself reflecting on the long-term effects these experiences will have on their lives. What will their future look like? How has their development been affected? How are their brains and nervous systems wired after enduring such trauma? As a society, many look for quick solutions, five-step plans or specific tools to “fix” these children and their pain. However, based on my years of experience including working internationally, I have learned that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to healing. What I do know, with certainty, is that there is hope. There are evidence-based practices that support healing, and play is an effective and research-backed intervention for helping children recover from the impacts of war and displacement. Children and families are resilient, and there are things we can do to support their healing journey.
The questions I pose to you are these: How can you create a safe space where children can begin to heal? How can you support children whose emotions, shaped by trauma, overwhelm their small bodies and influence their behaviour? How can you listen to their stories, witness their pain, and offer a space where healing can begin?
For children, this is not an easy process, as they often cannot verbalize their experiences. Whether due to developmental factors or trauma stored in implicit memory, words often fail. This is where play becomes an essential tool. Play is something children naturally engage in, and it serves as their primary language for processing and communicating what they have experienced. This is why I have written this resource to highlight why play is not just a fun activity, but a profound and effective intervention for healing.
The Healing Power of Play
Over the years, I have encountered many parents, teachers, and professionals who view play simply as a way for children to release energy, take a break from more structured activities or something for them to do as they do not have other responsibilities. In some cultures, children are even discouraged from play as they are expected to help support the family. I firmly believe that play is not only crucial for children’s development but also a vital tool for processing their experiences, coping with their emotions, and understanding the world around them. Through play, children can express what they may not yet have the words for, offering them a safe space to make sense of their feelings and the challenges they face.
When children experience trauma such as war or displacement their world is shattered. Their sense of safety is destroyed, and a child’s brain, which is in critical stages of development, is significantly impacted. Some people suggest that “children won’t remember this trauma for long,” but I deeply disagree. Children do remember. The residue of trauma remains, often stored in their bodies as implicit memories. If unaddressed, this trauma can persist, affecting their future emotional health and development.
Healing from trauma is a journey. History has shown us that human beings are resilient, and it takes a village to raise a child. Unfortunately, war and displacement often destroy the communities that children rely on for safety and support. A powerful way to begin the healing process is by creating a safe space where children and families can connect, feel supported, and process their experiences together. For children, this is where play becomes essential.
Cultural Relevance in Play Therapy
Play is both a universal and deeply cultural expression. From my work internationally and with displaced people, I have learned that providing culturally relevant play therapy is crucial. It’s not enough to simply offer play; we must take the time to understand and appreciate the unique cultural context of the children we work with. I believe this process requires patience and humility. Our role is not to interpret a child’s play through our own cultural lens, but to create a safe space where they can express their emotions and experiences freely. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ in play; it serves as a powerful form of communication like a window into a child’s deepest thoughts and feelings.
I often emphasize to adults working with children the benefits of letting the child lead the play. This doesn’t mean abandoning structure, but rather offering the child a space where they can regain a sense of control in a world that has been disrupted. In the wake of such upheaval, the opportunity to lead the play, make choices, and set the pace can be one of the few ways a child feels empowered. While boundaries are important, within those boundaries, children must be given the freedom to heal at their own pace
The Role of Play Therapists and Training
I am often asked whether I can train others to become “play therapists.” The answer is no. Becoming a play therapist requires years of rigorous training, clinical supervision, and professional development. It’s not something that can be learned in a weekend course, despite what some might claim. However, what I can offer is training and support to help you and your team create healing environments for children through play. My passion lies in helping professionals who are already working with children learn how to incorporate therapeutic play into their practice. This is not a quick fix or a five-session remedy for trauma recovery as in my opinion such solutions simply don’t exist. Instead, it’s about building a community of support, sharing skills, and equipping others to guide the ongoing process of healing through therapeutic play.
Listening to painful stories and bearing witness to trauma can be incredibly difficult. This is where clinical supervision becomes invaluable. It plays a critical role in preventing burnout, offering professionals a dedicated safe space to process the emotions and challenges that inevitably arise when working with vulnerable children. Supervision ensures that those supporting children are also supported themselves, helping them navigate the emotional toll of this important work.
Moving Forward Together
If you would like to learn more about how to create healing spaces for children through play or if you are interested in arranging a training session for your team, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children who have experienced war and displacement. The therapeutic power of play is a tool that, when used with care and cultural sensitivity, can help children begin to heal, process their pain, and regain a sense of agency in their lives.
