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

One of the beautiful things about counseling is having the privilege to hear individual's stories. Each therapeutic interaction presents with unique history, strengths, and concerns. I operate primarily from an Interpersonal orientation which looks at the counseling relationship as a "safe haven" to facilitate the change each client desires. My approach is informed by personal experience in...
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Desirae Torrens

Oakland

California

As a bilingual licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, I have 12+ years of extensive experience working with clients who struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, have been victims of crime or violence, issues related to immigration and acculturation, and relationship and occupational stress. I enjoy working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families to address issues...
( English | español ) You wake up each day feeling lost, confused, and overwhelmed. You constantly ask yourself, "When am I going to life a normal life? When is the hurt, stress, anxiety, depression going to end?" You have a difficult time turning off all the negative thoughts and find yourself in a loop. Imagine that you have the ability to feel like you can manage these emotions. I am here to...
I am an LPC who is EMDR trained to work with clients of all ages. I am also a Christian Counselor if that is what my clients are needing. I love children, adolescents and the challenges they bring to family dynamics. I tailor my style to the needs of my clients, because no two clients are alike. I'm solution, attachment & trauma focused. My heart is in what I do and invested in my clients succe...
Hello! As a counselor I work with children, adolescents, adults, families and couples. I am a Certified Play Therapist and an AutPlay Therapy Certified Provider. I am passionate about working with children and helping them succeed. It is difficult to admit when we need help. I offer a safe environment for all my clients to set goals and work to achieve them. Supporting my clients in becoming a...
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My passion is working with children 10yo & under who experience anxiety, depression, PTSD, family transitions, grief, & disruptions in attachment. I utilize dance/movement, music, storytelling, play, and art therapies to help children engage in the therapeutic process and heal. Through activities, children are able to freely express emotions and learn to self-soothe using the techniques that...
**Now Offering Telehealth Video and Phone Therapy Sessions due to Social Distancing Recommendation** I am a Marriage and Family Therapist (offering individual counseling as well). Currently offering Zoom, Doxy.me meetings. I specialize in techniques that focus on the health of the relationships between people. The practice of relational therapy views the mental health of an individual as often...
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In counseling, I utilize an integrative approach that combines reality therapy, person-centered, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). I have 14 years experience working with adults in a 12-step program. This experience has given me tools and knowledge that can help others achieve their goals. I also have over 3000 hours of experience working with children 6-18 on issues such as ADHD, behavio...
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