What is Play Therapy?

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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.

Therapists Who Specialize in Using Play Therapy

Receiving a Master's in 2007 and Doctorate in 2016, my studies have inspired my career. Working for over a decade as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and also being a Florida Licensed School Psychologist, I am experienced in conducting psycho-educational evaluations, providing individual/group counseling, and collaborating with educators and families. In New York State, I worked as a...

Paul Hodgdon

Los Angeles

California

I am a thoughtful and compassionate psychotherapist and clinical social worker with more than 30 years of experience practicing in San Francisco, New York City, and Los Angeles. I work primarily from a psychodynamic and interpersonal perspective as research supports my experience that therapy is more successful as a creative partnership, and a collaborative insight-oriented process leads to dee...
Constant stress and shame are overwhelming. They can leave you feeling stuck. Guilt develops. Frustration abounds. Daily activities are interrupted. It all leaves you exhausted. It’s time to embrace a deeper body mind connection using holistic alternatives to create your ideal healthy lifestyle. Creative arts therapy can help you reconnect with yourself and live the life you deserve. *Telehealt...
Sensory Services of Pinellas is geared to serve children and young adults with Sensory Processing Disorders and or developmental delays. This program was built to meet a variety of special needs and help fill gaps between other therapy services. Your child will gain a fun, safe environment in which they can learn to accept who they are and overcome some of the daily obstacles that they face. Th...
The narratives of life can leave us feeling rough and jagged. Sometimes we need someone to come alongside us as we navigate the rapids, and discover the beauty and new form waiting in still waters. I consider being a part of this process to be a privilege and an honor. I serve children birth-adolescence, families, and adults. I am able to address a variety of needs, with a specialization in...
While my roots as a clinical psychologist are in working with infants through adolescents and their families, I have broadened my scope in recent years to include working individually with adults, as well. My experiences include work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, schools, group homes, and residential treatment facilities. I have specialized in the areas of developmental disabilities, learni...
I have experience providing services to children, adolescents, older youth, adults, and the elderly. I have experience working with persons from a vast array of social, economic, cultural, ethnic, and spiritual backgrounds. I also have supported individuals of the LGBTQ community. I am experienced working with trauma, grief/loss, PTSD, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, domestic violence, a...
A sense of safety is critical for progress in psychotherapy, and I take care to provide that sense of safety for each person I serve. I appreciate the uniqueness of each person and family I encounter, and work in partnership with them to create their own unique healing process, based upon proven treatments, solid research, and recent advances in treatment protocol. I am a certified trauma...
****CURRENTLY FULL - CALL TO BE PLACED ON WAITING LIST*** At some point in life, we all come to a crossroads. We are faced with a choice between staying the path we've always taken or changing direction completely. Whether you are facing grief, stress, family struggles or emotional issues, I am here to help you navigate the path you choose to take. I am comfortable and knowledgeable working wit...

Amanda Campbell

Austin

Texas

If you are looking for someone with experience to listen to your situation, help you identify things that need to change, and to help you make those changes, I would love to talk with you. I have been counseling children, adolescents, individuals, couples and families for 18 years. We will work together to develop treatment goals and strategies to get things back on course. It is so hard when...
Are you struggling with anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem issues or just overwhelmed? Is your child having behavioral problems? Is your life going where you want it to? If you are ready to make the next move to improve your life, contact me so we can explore what might be getting in your way to being the person you want to be. I am also a Certified Life Coach and am passionate about help...
Is your child experiencing challenges at home and at school? Do you want your child to form better CONNECTIONS with others including yourself? Do you feel like you have EXHAUSTED all of your other options and you don't know where else to turn? I am here to help your child and family better manage these challenges and be confident in themselves. Our goals will be personalized but focus on...
**Accepting new clients ** No matter how equipped we are to handle life's challenges, there will likely be a point in time when you and your family could benefit from some assistance. Whether your child is going through a rough patch, needs help learning to cope with life changes, or could benefit from skills to manage day to day stress, you have come to the right place. I will provide a...

Melissa Reyerson-Slifer

Des Moines

Iowa

*NOW OFFERING TELETHERAPY* "I work with adults, children, couples, and families and assist them in recognizing their inherent potential, harness their individual strengths, and overcome life's challenges. I am a Licensed Master Social Worker, currently practicing at Youth Emergency Services & Shelter. I utilize traditional and non-traditional interventions in my practice, such as CBT, EMDR, art...