Art and Play Therapy promote healing and growth by moving feelings, thoughts and experiences from the inside to the outside. They often exist as phantasies and once they are contained in art and toys they become characters, stories and ideas that children can play with and essentially "be in charge of". This often helps children connect more with their feelings and "own" their experiences. This process is deeply satisfyingly for children but it also brings up anxiety, fear, anger and feelings of vulnerability.
I am in charge of holding the emotions and it feels safest if they are alone in a room with the door closed or partially closed. This creates both emotional and physical containment and the child feels comfortable and safe to engage in therapy.
When these feelings are "coming up" and "coming out" it is important that children feel contained and held.