Play Therapy

Play Therapy

What is Play Therapy?

Child counseling or play therapy can help children facilitate communication, encourage self-expression, foster emotional wellness, reduce stress, enhance social relationships, build empathy, accelerate emotional development, increase self-regulation, and self- esteem. Because young children lack the language skills and abstract thinking abilities of adults or older children, they may have difficulty expressing themselves with words.

Since play is communication, using play as a therapeutic modality facilitates the child’s capacity for self-expression. The child can use play materials to directly and indirectly communicate thoughts, feelings, and experiences they cannot express in words or that might be too threatening to communicate directly. This form of therapy allows children to navigate their emotions in a safe and supportive environment, fostering a sense of mastery over their experiences. Therapists can observe and interpret these play interactions, gaining insights into the child's inner world, which may lead to more effective interventions and support. Whether through toys, games, or creative arts, therapeutic play promotes healing in a manner that feels safe and accessible for the child.

“Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”

Fred Rogers

How It Works

Play therapy is more than just playing. As a play therapist, I am specially trained to evaluate and understand children's play. My goal is to help children learn to cope in healthier ways and approach problems differently.

I begin helping your child learn to fully express and explore their feelings, thoughts, experiences and behaviors by creating a caring and accepting environment. By building this authentic and encouraging relationship with your child, I help your child build confidence, improve their communication skills, stretch their ability to regulate, and enhance their problem-solving abilities so they can make better choices. I help children who are experiencing anxiety, grief, trauma, and children adjusting to a new transition or change in the family- like a move, change of school, or recent addition of family member. I also understand that when a child is struggling it impacts the entire family. I work with parents to help you understand the reasons for your child’s behaviors, how you can help them cope, and how you can strengthen your relationship with your child so they feel accepted and understood.

What Does “Registered Play Therapist” Mean?

Registered Play Therapists work with children utilizing play, which is a child's natural medium of expression.

Registered Play Therapists are credentialed through the National Association for Play Therapy. To be credentialed, play therapists must go through a rigorous training program which includes at least 150 approved play therapy education hours, 500 hours of supervised play therapy experience that includes at least 50 hours of supervision by a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor.