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

I have been a licensed mental health counselor since 2004. My experience includes helping children, families, couples and individuals from all types of backgrounds. I have helped people work through difficult situations that are preventing them to obtain joy in their life. There are many types of prisons - addictions, depression, anxiety, self-hatred, abusive relationships - I would love to hel...
My clinical interests include working with individuals experiencing anxiety and depression, in particular, those who feel lost, alienated, or stressed about the world we live in. I use a person-centered, Existential, and Adlerian approach to therapy, as well as mindfulness techniques. I center my work in social justice and anti-racism, and I value everyone for who they are. My strengths are my...
Therapy can benefit you wherever you are in life, whether it's in the midst of a crisis, if you're feeling distant from a partner or your parents, or if you simply want to know yourself better. I view providing therapy as a sacred calling, and I am honored to empower clients to reach goals or explore the unknown. I use a systemic approach, helping individuals, couples, families, or groups in th...

Carissa Newman

Jacksonville

Florida

I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor at Beacon Pediatric Behavioral Health. My expertise lies in working with children, teens, and families. I specialize in treating anxiety, depression, ADHD, behavioral concerns, adjustment issues, and trauma, as well as working with families to improve relationships and dynamics. Our agency provides a multi-disciplinary approach to treatment, providing a...
As a marriage and family therapist, I have been successful in helping individuals re-create and maintain enjoyable relationships throughout their lives. My goal as a clinician is to help you and your loved one(s) learn to build loving, trusting, understanding and safe environments and relationships that enable recovery, moving forward and healing. I love to see you and your loved one(s) smile...

Victoria Alberini

San Francisco

California

In 2015, I left my job at Google to pursue a career that better catered to my lifelong passion for human interaction and relationships. My background in tech tailors my practice to those working in Silicon Valley, but my clients yield from all walks of life. I specialize in working with couples, adult individuals, those who have experienced trauma, those struggling with questions about their...
You are amazing and exactly who you should be. You are a kind person and great friend. So why do you feel so sad and overwhelmed sometimes? Why does it feel like everything is working against you? You want to be happier and more carefree like you used to be but there is just so much going on and it is taking all of your energy. Perhaps your job is creating a lot of stress for you or your chroni...
Is life overwhelming you? Is adulting much more difficult than you ever thought it would be? Are you, or your child struggling with anxiety, depression, feelings of rejection, or hopelessness? Are you tired of the conflicts in your relationships? Then you are ready to make positive changes in your life! You are ready to live a more fulfilling and healthy lifestyle! You can be the change! Togeth...

Kristen Spell

Charlotte

North Carolina

Are you feeling disconnected with your child or teen? Are you a teacher balancing life and work? A college student feeling stuck? Feeling overwhelmed with adulthood? I can help. Life can be tough and with so many influences on how we should look, act, and feel… it doesn’t quite match up to reality! With a virtual world as our main connection it can be a challenge to feel heard, supported, and...
I know that there are times when life can be difficult. My deepest professional desire is to give you hope and to let you know that you are not alone. Give me a chance to help and together we can move through the difficult parts of life, so you can experience growth and healing. I have experienced many grief and losses throughout my life from marriage, divorce, raising children, empty nesting,...
Often two things can be true: you are “fine” but also down, anxious, or angry. Maybe you’re noticing certain patterns or issues come up in your relationships. Perhaps you’re experiencing body sensations or pains. Some problems are manageable while others feel overwhelming, this is not uncommon. Together we can explore how things show up for you and how often they are protective; they may not ha...
You're tired of being stuck. Stuck in a rut of the same old emotions and behaviors you've fought for so long. Maybe your past or painful memories are holding you back, or perhaps the accusing thoughts have become too heavy. You're not sure exactly how to get out or how to change, but you're ready for something different, and you're tired of fighting alone. I will work to help you identify what...

LaVoya Woods-Dionne

Durham

North Carolina

We all need support to walk through our lives with purpose, power, and joy. It takes bravery to seek support, so welcome to the threshold of change. I work with children, adults, and families using play-based and trauma-informed therapy to support reflection, growth, and recovery. Together we can address behavioral issues, stressful transitions like divorce, grief, adoption, and birth, and the...