游戏治疗是指透过游戏来协助小孩（一般是3岁至11岁）去表达他们的感受和困难，如恐惧、憎恶、孤独、觉得失败和自责等等，从而达到治疗效果。事实上，游戏是小朋友最自然的方式去表达自我，相对于成年人会透过「说话」来表达困难一样。

游戏治疗主要是建基于心理分析学派的理论发展而成，指出儿童主要是透过游戏来将内在的焦虑外显化，并透过与游戏治疗师的交互，从而增加对自我行为和情绪的认识，并促进个人发展，加强自我面对困难时的信心和能力。

爱思莲（Virginia Axline）主张把人本主义的理论融入成为游戏治疗的基础，并提出非导性游戏治疗（non-directive play therapy）或称儿童中心游戏治疗（child-centered play therapy）。

Play therapy is generally employed with children aged 3 through 11 and provides a way for them to express their experiences and feelings through a natural, self-guided, self-healing process. As children’s experiences and knowledge are often communicated through play, it becomes an important vehicle for them to know and accept themselves and others. This approach is common to young children.