Why Play Therapy?
Play Matters
Children communicate differently than adults. While adults are often able to talk about their thoughts and feelings, children naturally express themselves through actions and play.
Through toys, art, games and imaginative play, children show you how they think, feel and experience the world. Play therapy allows children to explore and work through challenges in a way that feels natural, safe and developmentally appropriate.
Play therapy is well-established research-supported approach that has been used for decades to support children’s emotional and behavioral growth. Rooted in developmental and psychological theory, play therapy has been shown to be effective in helping children work through challenges such as emotional regulation, anxiety, behavioral concerns and life transitions.
What children gain from play therapy
Through the therapeutic relationship and the process of play, children may learn to:
Better understand and accept their feelings
Express emtoions in more apporpriate and maneagable ways
Develop self-control and emotional regulation
Practice responsible decision-making
Build problem-solving and coping skills
Increase confidence and self-esteem
While play therapy may look simple on the surface, meaning emotional work is happening beneath the play. Over time, many parents notice changes such as improved emotional regulation, increased confidence, and more positive behavior at home or school.
My approach
Every child is unique. Therapy is tailored to meet each child’s individual needs, personality, and developmental stage.
Child-Centered at the Core
Play therapy is the foundation of my work with children. Sessions are guided by the child rather than directed by and adult agenda, allowing children to feel safe, understood, and in control of their therapeutic space. When children feel emotionally safe, growth happens naturally.
Flexible & individualized
While play therapy is the foundation, I use an integrative approach that draws from multiple evidence-based practices. Therapy is adapted to meet each child’s unique needs, personality, and challenges rather than using a one-size-fits-all model.
Suporting Feelings and skills
Some children benefit from learning skills through thinking and talking, while others need to begin with play, emotion and experience. Therapy may include both approaches, helping children build emotional regulation, understanding, and coping skills in ways that match their developmental level.
“Birds fly. Fish Swim. Children Play”
-Gary Landreth, pioneer of Child-Centered Play Therapy