Play Therapy

Play is the language of children, and often how we find out more about what they're thinking and feeling. I like to use play therapy as a way to engage with younger clients, whether the session is focused around undirected play or if we're simply playing a game together while we talk. I utilize dollhouses, sand trays, and therapeutic games in-session.

In play therapy, children engage in various activities like drawing, storytelling, role-playing, or using toys and games to represent their thoughts and emotions. I will create a safe, supportive environment where your child feels free to explore their emotions and experiences without judgment. I will work with your child to help them identify and understand their feelings, explore solutions to challenges, and develop coping strategies.

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 use play therapy techniques to help youth learn self-trust, self-compassion, and process and heal from difficult life experiences. I love developing a relationship built on mutual respect and trust with my kiddo clients, and helping them learn that they are inherently strong and resilient.

Play is the natural language of children, and in treatment, toys are their words. In treatment, kids use the natural language of play to make meaning of what they are experiencing and to explore new possibilities. Training: Cambridge Hospital, Harvard Medical School's practicum for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Currently pursuing Registered Play Therapist Credentials from the American Association for Play Therapy;

Through play therapy, children and youth are able to explore and express thoughts, feelings, and experiences that they have not yet developed the language skills necessary. Through play therapy, we are able to interact on a level that children and youth understand and respond to, leading to healing and growth.

Play Therapy has been researched as the most effective modality for treating children. Children communicate through play, and in child-centered Play Therapy the therapist enters into the child's world, responding with validation and reflection to provide relief from the symptoms which brought the child to therapy. The therapist then models responding in a regulated way to the child's play, so that the child can acquire tools to support themselves in regulating their own emotions.

I do Parent Child Interaction Therapy and Child Parent Psychotherapy, two therapies that use play to help parents and children overcome difficulties and process difficult feelings. In Parent Child Interaction Therapy, I will help you follow along with your child's play, while also setting limits. In Child Parent Psychotherapy, I will also help you follow along with you child's play, and help your child use play to process difficult experiences.

Play therapy provides a unique environment where children are given the opportunity to increase self-awareness and self-confidence, understand their thoughts and feelings, become resilient and adaptable, learn to manage big emotions in healthy ways, develop age-appropriate coping skills, and adjust to life events and transitions. My to approach is rooted in psychodynamic and child-centered principles.

Play Therapy is an effective approach for children to express their feelings and work through emotional challenges. Using play as a form of communication, I help young clients explore their emotions, develop problem-solving skills, and improve their social skills. Through safe and creative activities, play therapy provides children with the tools they need to cope with difficult experiences and build resilience.

Using a client-centered, strengths-based approach to play therapy, I create a warm, inviting, and non-judgmental space where children feel empowered to explore their emotions, their world, and their potential for growth.

While working with children I utilize play therapy where they learn to manage their feelings and emotions as well as social skills. In 2016, I developed a play intervention program for children with autism and developmental disabilities.

When working with children, I offer child-centered play therapy during in-person visits. These modalities compliment children’s natural language of play and creativity, and allow them to work through their feelings in a comfortable and safe way. Young people are so often being directed and required to perform. I believe having a space where they get to exercise their agency and voice their opinions and preferences is a therapeutic experience.

My office offers teletherapy play sessions with children and is also easily transformed into a space comfortable for adolescents, adults, and couples. For more than 15 years, I have worked with children, adolescents, and adults with behavioral and emotional challenges.

play therapy and sandtray therapy are offered for any age! Play is the language of children for expression, processing and healing.

I offer sand try therapy and play therapy from a Polyvagal lense.