Play Therapy
Where toys become words and play becomes conversation
Children often lack the complex vocabulary needed to explain feelings like anxiety, grief, or the aftermath of a scary event. Play Therapy is a specialized, research-based approach that meets children where they are. In the safety of the playroom, toys become their words and play becomes their conversation.
How It Works
In a play therapy session, I provide a curated selection of toys — sand trays, art supplies, and figurines — that allow a child to act out their experiences. This process helps them:
Distance the Distress
It is often too scary for a child to say, "I am afraid." But they can show a toy dinosaur feeling afraid. This "distance" allows them to process the emotion without being overwhelmed by it.
Develop Coping Skills
Through play, children can "practice" new ways of responding to difficult situations, building resilience and emotional regulation in real-time.
Release Trauma
Just as adults use EMDR or Somatic Experiencing to "digest" trauma, children use play to work through and release the "stuck" emotions associated with difficult past experiences.
Play Therapy at Lifted Willow
I don't view Play Therapy in isolation. Because I am also an Art Therapist and a Somatic Practitioner, I watch for how a child's body moves and how they use creative materials. This holistic view helps me understand the "whole child."
I also work closely with caregivers and parents. Healing for a child is most effective when the family is involved, so I provide tools for you to support your child's emotional growth at home.
Ready to Begin?
Reset your nervous system. Take the next step for yourself — schedule a consultation and let's connect.
If you're in crisis, please call 988.
I'll follow up within two business days