Play Therapy

“Play is the work of children” ~Fred Rogers

Play therapy can be beneficial to children experiencing problems with anxiety, severe trauma, abuse, grief and loss, depression, anger, major life transitions, and much more.

Children learn, process, and heal through play (as well as adults!)  

Using play as a modality, I can work with children to understand their BIG emotions and to help them learn helpful and safe ways to express those emotions.

In addition to learning and studying play as a therapy modality, I am also trained in TraumaPlay and have received training in specific interventions to help children process and heal from traumatic events. When using play therapy, I may work with the child in my office space or work with them in the designated play therapy room in my practice. All the games, toys and interventions have been carefully selected and are available for children and adults.

At times play therapy may include art materials (no worries, there are smocks on hand to cover clothes and a sink available to wash any stray paint!).

I am trained in the modality of TraumaPlay, which is grounded in Attachment Theory. I am always seeking to discover the need that is underlying the child’s behavior. Within this framework, I use coping skills, components of EMDR, somatic interventions alongside play techniques such as sand tray, visual arts, music, drama, and storytelling to help children in their dance to and from their trauma narrative. Within the play setting, I am constantly asking, what does the child need now?

Check out this clip of Paris Goodyear-Brown the founder of TraumaPlay explain the neuroscience of play as a modality of healing from trauma.: