Play Therapy

In my practice I specialize in meeting the therapeutic needs of children and their families. As a therapist for your child, I can address a variety of concerns including adjustment to divorce, behavioral difficulties at school or home, exposure to child abuse or relationship violence, and other various mental health concerns. My experience in working with children is extensive. I have worked in the Early Childhood Education field for over 10 years working in various positions including working as a preschool teacher, camp counselor, in-home childcare provider, baby sign language instructor, postpartum doula, and child and family therapist. When working with children I use play therapy techniques and I involve the parents on an as needed basis for family therapy. Parents are a large part of the therapeutic process. Therapy begins with a complimentary session to discuss your concerns for your child and your family's goals for therapy.

What is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is the treatment of choice in working with younger children experiencing a wide range of challenges.  Play therapy assists children in finding their natural path to emotional healing and resolution.  Play is truly children's work because they naturally use play to process feelings, communicate, and solve problems.  Play therapy assists in this process by providing a therapeutic environment and skilled facilitation by a child therapist.  

Most play therapists have a play room (or designated play area) that is outfitted with a wide range of toys including puppets, dolls, building items, art supplies, toy versions of helper tools such as doctor, firefighter and police gear, etc.  In child-centered play therapy, the child client typically takes the lead in selecting the toys to use and the themes of their play, often including the therapist in the play.  The therapist's attuned empathy, reflection, encouragement, and interpretation assist the child in processing through play.  In the context of play, therapists may also assist the child in confronting problems and facilitating creative problem-solving.  

Play, in addition to art and sand play, are effective for children who need to work through grief and loss, traumatic events, anxiety and stress, life transitions (such as moves or divorce), social development, anger management, and depression.  Play therapy is appropriate for pre-school and elementary-aged children.   Some benefits of play therapy include:  increased ability to express and regulate emotions;  increased ability to apply creativity in order to solve problems successfully; establishment of trust; improved social and relational skills; increased self-efficacy and confidence; improved empathy and respect for others.   

Where can I get additional information about Play Therapy?

Visit the website for the Association for Play Therapy: http://www.a4pt.org/ps.playtherapy.cfm

To set up your free initial phone consultation, please contact me at 303-669-0893 or send an email through the contact us page.