Play therapy is a developmentally appropriate, evidence-based approach to helping children process their emotions, experiences, and challenges. Because children often express themselves more naturally through play than through words, this form of therapy meets them right where they are without expecting them to talk or think like “little adults.”

 

As play therapy pioneer Dr. Garry Landreth said, “Play is the child’s language, and toys are their words.” In the playroom, children are free to express their hopes, needs, fears, and hurts in a safe, supportive environment guided by a trained therapist who understands how to interpret and respond to that language.
 

I work with children ages 3 and up, tailoring my approach to each child’s developmental stage, personality, and needs.
 

• For children under 8, I primarily use Child-Centered Play Therapy—a proven method that allows the child to lead the process at their own pace. This approach supports emotional growth and healing by enhancing self-esteem, improving emotional regulation, expanding their understanding of the world, and helping them identify and verbalize their feelings.
   

• For older children and young adolescents, I integrate other creative and evidence-based modalities such as sand tray therapy, EMDR, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to support deeper emotional processing and build coping skills.

 

Every child is unique, and my goal is always to create a warm, accepting space where they feel seen, heard, and safe to grow.

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Looking for support as a parent? I also offer parent coaching for parents seeking practical, evidence-based strategies to support their child.