Play Therapy: Speaking the Language of Childhood
For a child, sitting on a couch to discuss their feelings can feel unnatural, intimidating, or even impossible. That’s because "talking" is an adult’s primary way of processing—but for a child, play is their language and toys are their words. What is Play Therapy? Play Therapy is a specialized approach that meets children exactly where they are developmentally. In my playroom, we don't just "play games" to pass the time; we use play as a bridge to understand a child's internal world. When a child plays, they are practicing life, processing big emotions, and showing me exactly how they see themselves and the world around them.
My Philosophy: Child-Led and Box-Free
In many settings, children are told how to play or what to build. In my practice, the child is the director. I provide a "yes" space where their imagination is respected and their autonomy is centered.
Radically Affirming: I don't use play to "train" a child to act differently. I use it to help them feel safe enough to be themselves. Whether they are reenacting a difficult transition at school or using sensory play to calm their nervous system, their play is valid and meaningful.
Total Flexibility: Some children need high-energy, physical play to process anger or excitement. Others need quiet, repetitive, or sensory-focused play to feel secure. I adapt my presence and the environment to match whatever "mode" your child needs that day.
Non-Directive & Empowering: By letting the child lead the session, they build a sense of mastery and agency. They learn that their choices matter and that they have the power to solve problems.
Why Play Works
Play therapy bypasses the "logical" brain and speaks directly to the emotional and sensory parts of a child's mind. It allows us to work through complex issues without the child feeling like they are under a microscope.
Emotional Processing: Through dolls, puppets, or action figures, children can "act out" fears or conflicts that are too big to talk about directly.
Sensory Regulation: We use tactile materials—like sand, clay, or water—to help neurodivergent children or children with anxiety ground themselves and find a "baseline" of calm.
Building the "Toolbox": Within the safety of a pretend world, we can practice self-advocacy, boundary-setting, and problem-solving. These skills then naturally ripple out into their real-life relationships at school and home.
The Parent's Role in the Process
While the playroom is a private sanctuary for your child, you are an essential part of the healing. I share insights from our play—the themes that emerge and the strengths I see—so that you can carry that same affirming, play-based connection into your daily life.
"In play, a child is always at their highest level of development. It is where they are most brave, most creative, and most themselves."