Individual Play Therapy Sessions

Individual Play Therapy Sessions

Play is the language of children, and play therapy sessions give children a space to explore, process, and communicate what they’re feeling and what feels challenging in a developmentally appropriate way. While adults use language to process past experiences and current challenges, children do not yet have the abstract thinking skills to put their feelings into words - this is where play comes in. Children naturally use play to explore and process feelings and experiences that feel stuck, communicate with others, learn new skills, and create new patterns.

My work is child-led, meaning I typically use a non-directive approach and follow the child’s lead; this allows us to better understand your child’s perspective rather than going into the therapeutic work with assumptions. If it’s appropriate for the child and for the goals we’re working on, I’ll bring in directive activities into sessions as necessary. Sessions could include imaginative play, sandtray work, art - it depends on your child’s goals, needs, strengths, and interests. Sessions are tailored to meet your child’s individual needs and to work on goals identified at the start of our work together.

Play therapy can help with a variety of challenges, including:

• Adjusting to major life changes, including separation and divorce

• Aggression, anger, and meltdowns

• Anxiety, including separation anxiety, social anxiety, and phobias

• Challenges related to neurodivergence

• Challenges with emotion regulation and expression

• Conflict with others and interpersonal challenges

• Difficulty with transitions

• Grief and loss

• Low frustration tolerance

• Low self-esteem and negative self-talk

• Perfectionism

• Regression

• School refusal

• Sensory processing challenges

• Trauma and PTSD

Sessions typically start on a weekly or biweekly basis and move to biweekly or monthly as your child progresses. Session structure includes 40 minutes of one-on-one therapy with your child, followed by a 10-minute parent meeting to discuss progress and ways to support your child outside of sessions. Sessions are $140 with limited sliding scale slots available - reach out for more information about whether you qualify and ways to potentially get free counseling for your child, or check out the FAQs page for more information.