Therapy for children and teens

In play therapy, kids can act out their rituals, fears, and “rules” using toys and miniatures, which makes talking about OCD less scary and more manageable. The therapist gently supports them in experimenting with small changes in play, like delaying or modifying a ritual, while staying regulated and supported. Gradually, the child can begin to feel more in control of their thoughts and actions, instead of feeling controlled by them.

When a child feels low, flat, or unmotivated, play therapy offers a warm, low-pressure space where they can reconnect with small moments of joy and interest. The therapist follows your child’s pace, helping them name feelings, build routines that feel doable, and rediscover what makes them feel alive and connected. The goal is for your child to feel less alone, more hopeful, and more engaged with the people and activities that matter to them.

In the playroom, anger is welcomed as information, not a “problem” to get rid of; kids are allowed to express big energy in safe and contained ways. Using role-play, art, and movement, your child experiments with what anger is trying to say and learns ways to pause, communicate, and calm their body. Over time, outbursts often become less intense and less frequent as your child feels more in control of their feelings and actions.

Play therapy gives children a steady space where they are valued just as they are, not for how well they perform or behave. The therapist gently challenges harsh self-talk, highlights strengths, and invites your child into experiences of success, capability, and repair. Over time, kids often develop a kinder inner voice and a more solid sense of “I am enough,” even when things don’t go perfectly.

For kids who feel everything “too much” or “not enough,” play therapy offers a predictable, sensory-aware environment tailored to their nervous system. Through sensory play, movement, and co-regulation with a calm adult, your child practices noticing what their body needs and using tools that support it. The aim is not to erase sensitivity, but to help your child better understand it and navigate daily life with more comfort and confidence.

When families change, kids often carry big questions and worries they can’t quite put into words; play therapy lets them work through these in stories and pretend play. The therapist helps your child explore feelings about two homes, new routines, and shifting relationships while reinforcing safety and connection. Over time, children can make more sense of what’s happening, feel less “in the middle,” and trust that they are deeply loved in both spaces.

In play therapy, kids can act out their rituals, fears, and “rules” using toys and miniatures, which makes talking about OCD feel less scary and more manageable. The therapist gently supports them in experimenting with small changes in play, like delaying or modifying a ritual, while staying regulated and supported. Gradually, your child can begin to feel more in control of their thoughts and actions, instead of feeling controlled by them.

The playroom becomes a safe practice ground for the push-pull of sibling relationships including navigating jealousy, competition, hurt feelings, and repairing the relationship. Through role-play and games, children explore fairness, turn-taking, and how to express needs without hurting each other or themselves. Over time, siblings can learn healthier ways to communicate, share space, and feel connected, even when they don’t agree.

Children who have been through scary or overwhelming experiences often replay pieces of the story in their play. In therapy, this becomes a healing pathway. The therapist stays closely attuned as the child revisits and reshapes these scenes, validating feelings and helping them find safer, more empowered endings. The goal is for those memories to feel less overwhelming, and for the child to carry more safety, strength, and meaning instead of just fear.

When a child experiences loss, play therapy offers a gentle space where memories, questions, and big feelings can be expressed through art, stories, and symbolic play. The therapist honors the child’s unique way of grieving, helping them remember, stay connected, and slowly integrate the loss into their ongoing story. Over time, many children feel more able to talk about their person or pet, carry their love forward, and re-engage with life while still honoring their grief.

For a shy child, play therapy is a low-pressure setting where they can warm up at their own pace, often starting with quiet or imaginative play. The therapist builds trust slowly, following the child’s lead and giving them lots of experiences of being listened to, respected, and successful in small social risks. Over time, many kids feel more comfortable speaking up, joining in, and letting others see who they are.

In play therapy, kids with ADHD are encouraged to move, explore, and be themselves; the room is set up to work with their energy, not against it. The therapist helps the child practice skills like pausing, noticing body cues, and making choices all through games and activities that feel engaging, not like “work.” The goal is to grow their self-awareness, self-compassion, and ability to use their strengths while building better focus and self-control.

Play therapy empowers children to confront their specific fears in indirect, playful ways, using stories, figurines, and pretend scenarios that feel safer than facing things head-on. The therapist gently supports them in taking tiny, tolerable steps toward their fear, while practicing calming strategies and feeling in charge of the pace. Over time, many kids feel less trapped by their phobia and more empowered to handle the things that used to feel impossible.

In the playroom, impulsive behavior shows up naturally in games and activities, giving the therapist real-time opportunity to help the child notice and practice new choices. Through playful challenges, children work on pausing, thinking ahead, and tolerating “not yet,” all within a warm relationship that celebrates effort. Over time, kids often become better able to slow down, consider consequences, and feel proud when they make a better choice.

Play therapy creates many small opportunities for a child to make choices like what to play, how to solve a problem or how to handle a tricky situation in a story. The therapist supports them in noticing options, weighing pros and cons, and tuning into their own values and body cues. Little by little, the child can grow more confident making decisions, trusting their inner compass, and learning from mistakes without harsh self-judgment.

In play therapy, friendship struggles are explored through games, role-play, and stories that mirror real-life situations in a way that feels safer and more manageable. The child practices starting conversations, joining play, handling “no,” and repairing after conflict while being guided and encouraged. Over time, many kids find it easier to connect with peers, feel more like themselves in groups, and build friendships that feel mutually respectful and fun.