Play Therapy is an approach to counseling utilized for children. Children learn to understand the world through play. Play Therapy embraces play to facilitate therapeutic interventions. Play can include games, dolls, art activities, sports, make-believe, or any other activity that fits a child developmentally and emotionally.
Play Therapy can be beneficial for children with behavioral issues. Because these children might not have the words to communicate their feelings or might not want to, this allows them a space to express themselves and share their feelings through play.
Play therapists get to know the child’s specific interests and can tailor their counseling space to make it unique for each child. As the counselor observes and interacts with the child, they can understand the emotions that lead to their behaviors. Over time, therapists can encourage children to use play to express feelings instead of expressing them through inappropriate or harmful behaviors.
Play Therapy can also be used for adults to help them connect with their inner creativity and facilitate child-like joy.
All children experience difficulty in the course of growing up (at home, school, with other children, etc.) or may behave in some way which concerns their parents or teachers. You can always seek extra support to help your child overcome these difficulties and increase their resilience. If you and/or your child’s teacher or pediatrician are concerned about your child’s adjustment or behavior, p...
Life doesn’t always go according to plan. And, sometimes there isn’t a plan, or it’s someone else’s plan, or the plan simply isn’t working. I offer a compassionate space where you can feel safe and supported as we explore the unexpected or ongoing turbulence your life. My trauma-informed approach to counseling is centered on building a trust-based collaboration that will support you as you begi...
Life comes with inevitable changes that can be difficult whether they are planned and wanted, or unplanned and dreadful. With these changes can come emotional issues such as depression, anxiety, or grief, just to name a few. The way we deal with these changes has a lot to do with our past experiences and perception. Our sense of self-worth influences almost every aspect of our lives, and when i...
I hold a MA from Wake Forest University in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and MS in Administration of Justice with special focus in Forensic Mental Health Treatment. I am a master level trained behavior specialist in Applied Behavior Analysis. I am an experienced therapist and hold licenses in Pennsylvania and Ohio with licensure pending in New York State. I also have a passion for groups...
***NO LONGER TAKING NEW CLIENTS AS OF 8/12/2020*** I believe everyone has the inner resources to heal and grow to their fullest potential. With a supportive, empathetic and fully present guide, that healing can be accessed and challenges can be overcome, often in a short span of time. If you are motivated, now would be the time to get help. For the past 11 years, I’ve been working with children...
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Do you have a child or teen who is struggling with things such as anxiety, depression, anger? Do you have a young child who has tantrums and difficulty listening at home and school? Are you a parent who needs help managing your child's behaviors? At STL Play Therapy Institute, we believe in the power of play. Play therapy is a hands-on therapy that allows people of all ages to learn better ways...
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I am a dually licensed therapist in both Marriage and Family Therapy as well as Professional Counseling with approximately 10 years worth of working with individuals, couples, and families on a wide range of mental health issues. Throughout my experience as a MFT/LPC, I have had the privilege of working with US Active Duty Military members and their families, grade school students ranging from...
I am Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Tennessee who has a broad range of clinical experience with children and adolescence. I earned my master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and have spent most of my counseling career conducting intensive in-home counseling with children and families. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral...
