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

Catherine Stutzner

Nashville

Tennessee

Catherine is a unique therapist with a breadth of lifetime experience that makes her an ideal therapist for adolescents and teens through adulting and on into parenting phases of life. Her background as a coach, entrepreneur, non-profit leader, and mom are life experiences she can draw from to guide you through your journey towards healing. Using a person-centered approach to counseling, Cather...

Claire E Conway

Chicago

Illinois

Since 2007, I have supported families in crisis through a strength-based approach and focus on problem-solving goal setting. I work with individuals, family and facilitate social skill groups for children ages 3-10 years of age....

Owen T. Guess

Greensboro

North Carolina

Dr. Owen Guess was born and raised in Greensboro, NC. Owen received his bachelor’s of Social Work degree from North Carolina A&T State University in 2010. Upon receiving his degree he pursued his Masters of Social Work Degree from Clark Atlanta University in 2011. Following his time in Atlanta, Owen spent time working as an outpatient therapist for six years. During his time he worked with...

Paula Petrosino

Chicago

Illinois

It is my belief that therapy should revolve around the individual and be adapted to meet that individual's specific needs and concerns. Mental illness and behavioral health issues present differently in every individual which is why I focus on treating each person's specific needs. My experience spans vastly, from crisis work to therapy in numerous settings including, hospitals, communities,...
I specialize in working with parents, children, and teens on a variety of presenting issues ranging from anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, crisis management and general relational issues. I prescribe to the belief that in most cases involving children, therapy should be brief and time limited. I have provided counseling services in various settings including local schools, a community...
Congratulations on taking the first step to promote positive change. My mission is to assist individuals in taking charge of their lives and gaining emotional wellness. Gaining a better understanding and awareness of self is my goal when guiding individuals through difficult times. Whether it be addiction, trauma, depression, or managing current life circumstances, we all need to utilize a plan...

Vanessa Navarrete

Houston

Texas

I'm a faith-based counselor specializing in working with children, couples, and families. I've always had a passion working with children. I've worked with childhood and developmental disorders such as autism, attachment disorder, ADHD/ADD, Conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, separation anxiety disorder, and social communication disorder. As a therapist I build up expertise in how...
I am a licensed professional counselor and nationally board certified multiculturally competent therapist who specializes in children and adolescents. I enjoy working with diverse populations, I am most passionate about serving the African American and Hispanic/Latino communities who often under utilize mental health services due to stigma. My goal is to serve all, help all. **I currently only...
My passion is people. Whether you need a listening ear to process feelings, a helping hand to navigate life transitions or interpersonal relationships, or education on managing chronic mental conditions (or anything in between!) I'm here to help. With over 18 years of experience and being CBT Certified, I use DBT-informed CBT techniques, combined with the healing affects of a positive, supporti...
effectivecounseling.org **Call today - same day appointments are available** Start living your best life today! Offering brief effective counseling solutions to get you and your family the life that you want. Utilizing evidence based practices that are clinically proven to effectively treat anxiety, depression, social problems, family distress, and behavioral issues. Excelling in providing...

Michelle McAlpin

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

Life can be full of obstacles, large and small. Often, we are able to navigate them well and move on. Other times, however, we can get caught up in them, knocked off course, and stuck. It is in these times that therapy can be especially helpful in adjusting thinking, learning new skills, and managing intense emotions. Gaining insight is powerful and often the first step to lasting change. My id...
Welcome! My practice provides psychotherapy services for children, adolescents, emerging adults and families. Sometimes events like transitions, trauma, loss, and adjustment to divorce or limited social support trigger difficulties. As a result, conflicts, depression, anxiety, emotional outbursts, academic decline, isolation, addiction or other risky behaviors can emerge. I support clients and...

Chelsea T. Cooper

Houston

Texas

Like a ripple effect, I believe therapy has the potential to influence all aspects of the individuals' life. Using a positive lens, clients and I tackle challenges by accessing their pre-existing resources and the resilience they've developed from past experiences. I believe the individual is the driving force in treatment, holding within themselves the insights and solutions required to deal w...
Are you feeling stressed out about life, anxious about the unknown or feeling down about yourself, your job or your significant other especially when it comes to communication. Do not hesitate to reach out for some assistance. Talking it out or even playing it out is the best solution. I provide services to educate & bring out the best in Adults, Children, Families, Military, Veterans, Police &...
My background includes working with children, adolescents, adults and their families. I have treated issues ranging from ADHD, anxiety, depression, and trauma, to relationship and school difficulties. I also find joy in teaching parents new techniques to use with their children and helping to break down the walls that often get in the way of quality relationships. I assist families in finding...