Play Therapy

I have received specialized training in Synergetic Play Therapy and meet regularly with an SPT consultant.

Its been said that “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” Play therapy is a form of psychological treatment that can involve playing with toys, role-playing, creation of art and games. Therapists observe someone during play to gain insights about their behavior. The central idea to play therapy is that people use play to communicate unconscious conflicts and feelings through displacement with the therapist.

I use play therapy for children, teenagers, and couples therapy, in order to create healthy, positive, nurturing experience for clients’ growth.

Play is the language of childhood. Play is used by children to explore their world and find meaning and understanding of the greater, more complex things happening around them. I utilize many forms of creative play to allow the child to use their imagination to play out how they are feeling inside, and together we work to find words to describe these feelings and develop skills to help regulate their emotions thereafter.

Play therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach primarily used to help children ages 3 to 12 explore their lives and freely express repressed thoughts and emotions through play. Therapeutic play normally takes place in a safe, comfortable playroom, where very few rules or limits are imposed on the child, encouraging free expression and allowing the therapist to observe the child’s choices, decisions, and play style. The goal is to help children learn to express themselves in healthier ways.

Play therapy is a great way to process through emotions and feelings that are hard to talk about. For this reason I have found that its effective for both children and adults! Sometimes play can help elicit feelings we didn’t even know we had associated to different events and process through how they are making us feel. It’s a great way to pin point how are emotions effect us, sometimes a drawing or a painting can show us something that you didn’t even know was affecting you! Plus its fun!

Many therapists share they use play therapy in their practice with children, but have not taken further training on its use in therapy. I am a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, which means I completed 3 years and 3000 additional hours of practice after licensure, clinical supervision, consistent continued education courses, and significant focus in at least two play therapy evidence based practices.

I enjoy using play and art therapy techniques with adults and children alike. Non-traditional techniques help to give you a new perspective and some distance from the problems. This kind of therapy also helps with trauma and other experiences that are difficult to talk openly about. This is a non-structured approach that promotes a feeling of freedom and calm. It is one of the best evidence-based treatments for children's mental health issues.

I have been trained in non-directive and semi-structured child-centered play therapy, sand tray therapy and mindfulness with kids combined with play therapy. I completed a two-year post-master's internship in play therapy and early childhood mental health in 2006. I have a deep commitment to working with children and adolescents of all ages and have been trained to work with children and young people ages birth to 18.

I utilize several approaches to play therapy, depending on the child. I have completed training in Theraplay and sand tray therapy.

Received specialized trainings in play therapy and sand tray therapy at clinic outpatient setting for three years. Certified in DC 0-5, ICARE initial assessments, and Ages and Stages Questionnaires. Certified in Positive Parenting Program (Triple P).

Play therapy allows kids to receive the help they need to cope with life-altering trauma, all through the power of play. Just as adults enjoy a conversation in their native language, children can better relate to trauma therapy techniques using their first language – “Play.”

Play therapy is designed to help children process their thoughts and feelings through interactive play, rather than verbally. Theories such as: object-relations, attachment, psycho dynamic, gestalt, etc. may be applicable. The play can be either directive or non-directive, or a mix of both. Play therapy can include materials such as: toys, art supplies, music, movement, and books.

Many therapists share they use play therapy in their practice with children, but have not taken further training on its use in therapy. I am a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, which means I completed 3 years and 3000 additional hours of practice after licensure, clinical supervision, consistent continued education courses, and significant focus in at least two play therapy evidence based practices.

Although I am not yet certified in Play Therapy, I received Graduate Training in Play Therapy as well as Supervision during Graduate training and during Post Graduate School clinicals. I have 130 hours of Play Therapy course work and 55 Play Therapy Supervision hours. I used Play Therapy for 2 yrs with children and parents exclusively at an Agency in Georgia as well as at Siskin's Family Developmental Center in Chattanooga where I worked children with special needs. I continue to see children.

Kids learn and express themselves best through play and art. As I move towards becoming a Certified Play Therapist, I am thrilled to see my clients empowered by the ability to get the big feelings out and feel stronger. Parents often tell me how appreciative they are to understand better what their child is feeling and thinking.

A few things I want you to know about play therapy: Children use play as means to process their world, it’s amazing. Play is for adults too. The therapeutic relationship helps to facilitate the play therapy process. Themes emerge from play. The foundation of safety and security, and ultimately healthy attachment are built and strengthened through play.

I am a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S) with extensive experience and training in providing play therapy and supervising play therapists. I attended the University of North Texas for graduate school where I was able to learn play therapy from the true experts. I have been providing play therapy since 2012.