When did play therapy start?

Play therapy began to take shape in the early 20th century, with significant contributions from psychoanalysts like Melanie Klein in the 1920s, who used play as a means to explore children's emotions and thoughts. The formalization of play therapy as a distinct therapeutic approach gained momentum in the 1940s and 1950s, particularly through the work of figures such as Virginia Axline. Since then, it has evolved into various modalities and is widely recognized for its effectiveness in helping children express themselves and process their experiences.