Child Therapy & Play Therapy in Littleton, CO

Play Therapy: Giving Your Child a Voice When Words Aren’t Enough

As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to watch your child struggle to express their big feelings—especially when you know something is wrong, but they can’t find the words to tell you. Whether your child is dealing with anxiety, emotional meltdowns, or challenges from a major life change, play therapy offers a way to help them process their experiences in a way that feels natural and safe.

Children don’t yet have the abstract thinking skills needed to process complex emotions with words. Instead, they communicate through play—the language of childhood. Play allows children to express and work through emotions, explore their inner world, and try out new ways of interacting with others. This process is powerful: As your child engages in play, they begin to process what feels stuck, gain insight into their feelings, and create new patterns that lead to lasting change.

What Play Therapy Looks Like

In my work, your child is the leader. I use a non-directive approach that respects your child’s pace, ensuring that therapy feels comfortable, empowering, and child-centered. I meet your child where they are, rather than making assumptions about their needs. As we move forward, I may introduce more directive activities based on your child’s specific goals, strengths, and interests.

This isn’t just about “playing for fun”—it’s purposeful, intentional, and transformative. Through play, your child can:

• Process emotions that feel overwhelming or confusing.

• Build coping skills for managing anxiety, anger, and frustration.

• Develop a sense of control over their thoughts and feelings, especially when life feels chaotic.

• Strengthen emotional regulation and the ability to express themselves in healthy ways.

• Rebuild self-esteem and feel empowered to navigate their world with confidence.

What You Can Expect After Therapy

Imagine a child who is better able to express themselves, who knows how to manage their emotions, and who feels confident enough to face life’s challenges. After play therapy, your child can:

• Move through transitions (like school changes or family shifts) with more ease and resilience.

• Increase their ability to manage and regulate their emotions, leading to fewer meltdowns and tantrums.

• Approach social situations with increased confidence, reducing anxiety and fear.

• Feel more comfortable in their own skin, showing healthier self-esteem and less perfectionism.

• Build deeper, more authentic relationships with peers and family.

• Increase their ability to express emotions in a healthy way and communicate about feelings, needs, and challenging topics.

Challenges Play Therapy Can Help With

Play therapy is effective for a range of emotional and behavioral concerns, including:

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

• Aggression, anger management difficulties, and frequent meltdowns

• Challenges related to neurodivergence, including ADHD, autism, and twice-exceptional (2e)

• Difficulty with transitions (e.g., starting school, moving, divorce)

• Grief, loss, and trauma

• Emotion regulation and the expression of feelings

• Low self-esteem, negative self-talk, and perfectionism

• Social and interpersonal conflicts

• School refusal, sensory processing difficulties, and more

How Therapy Works

Sessions generally begin on a weekly or biweekly basis to provide consistent support and structure and are conducted in-person. Over time, as your child progresses, the frequency may decrease to biweekly or monthly sessions. Each session lasts 40 minutes with your child, followed by a 10-minute parent check-in to discuss progress, share insights, and provide guidance on how to best support your child outside of therapy. I’m a big fan of providing caregivers with visual aids, handouts, and resource recommendations they can use at home.

Session Cost: $155 per session
Sliding Scale: Limited spots are available—please reach out to inquire about availability for sliding scale rates or free counseling options.

A Journey Toward Healing

Through play therapy, your child will not only learn to understand and express their emotions, but they will also gain the tools to navigate the world with more confidence and resilience. You’ll leave each session with a clearer understanding of how to support your child’s emotional growth and help them thrive.

If you’re ready to see positive changes in your child’s emotional and behavioral patterns, reach out to schedule a free consultation. Together, we can create a path forward that brings peace and growth to your family.