About Emilee Greenman

Emilee is the founder of Playful Pathways and is passionate about supporting kids, teens, and families through life's ups and downs. She believes real healing happens when we feel safe to show up as our authentic selves and that play, imagination, and laughter make growth possible even on hard days.
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Emilee earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Oakland University and her Master of Social Work with a focus in human development and family studies from Michigan State University. She also holds a degree in American Sign Language and is deaf friendly allowing us to effectively serve kids and families in the deaf community. Emilee credits her seven-plus years working hands-on with kids, teens, and families in various settings for shaping the therapist she is today.
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Emilee is an active member of the Association for Play Therapy and continually refines her approach through continued training and supervision in play therapy.
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Playful to her core, Emilee builds quick trust with kids, unlocking creativity, problem-solving, and healing in ways that feel natural and fun. Outside the playroom, she's with her sweet family enjoying lake life or hanging with friends.

About Celia Hilden

Celia is a compassionate therapist who excels at connecting with children and teens on their level. She creates a warm, safe space where they feel heard and free to explore emotions at their own pace, building deep trust that sparks real growth and healing.
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A Clinical Social Worker with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Albion College and Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan, Celia specializes in anxiety, emotional regulation, behavior challenges, focus and executive functioning, and big life changes. As a Registered Yoga Teacher (200-hour RYT), she gently weaves in mindfulness and body-focused practices to support emotional well-being.
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Through playful, evidence-based approaches, she helps kids build coping skills and confidence, while partnering closely with parents to share practical tools for support at home.
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Outside of sessions, Celia enjoys spending time with her cat and dog, baking treats, and staying active. She brings genuine warmth, creativity, and expertise to every session, and has a special way of making therapy feel fun and safe.

About Shayna Hillenberg

Shayna is a licensed clinical social worker who is passionate about supporting children of all ages, from toddlers and preschoolers to teens, and their families. She has extensive experience helping clients navigate anxiety, ADHD, depression, self-esteem concerns, self-harm, and behavioral challenges, and she tailors each session to meet the child where they are developmentally, emotionally, and socially.

Shayna uses play therapy as the foundation of her work, thoughtfully integrating CBT, DBT, ACT, mindfulness, executive functioning support, and strengths-based interventions when helpful. She strives to create a warm, engaging, and supportive environment where children and adolescents feel safe, understood, and empowered to build on their strengths. She also incorporates animal-assisted therapy with her certified therapy dog, Blu, to foster connection, emotional regulation, and confidence throughout the therapeutic process.

She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Family Studies and Social Work from Western Michigan University and her Master of Social Work from Madonna University. Outside of work, Shayna enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, and training alongside Blu.

About Christina Nardone

Christina is passionate about helping children and families navigate challenges while building on their unique strengths. She creates a supportive, engaging environment where children feel safe, connected, and excited to grow.

She works with children experiencing anxiety, emotional and behavioral challenges, social difficulties, and executive functioning needs. Her approach is child-centered, neurodiversity-affirming, and trauma-informed, integrating CBT, DBT skills, and executive functioning support. She is also a Certified Trauma and Resilience Specialist.

In addition to private practice, Christina serves as a school social worker in a Metro Detroit elementary school. She has extensive knowledge of IEPs, evaluations, and school-based services, helping families navigate educational supports.

Christina earned her Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Michigan State University and her Master of Social Work from Oakland University, with experience across diverse settings working with children and families.

Outside of work, she enjoys time with family, pickleball, walking, baking, and Pilates. She believes every child has the capacity to thrive and is committed to helping them do just that.

Events & Groups

Toddle Talk and Play

A welcoming, play-based gathering for toddlers and their caregivers, led by a pediatric speechlanguage pathologist, Natalie Cooley SLP. Each session blends stories, music, movement, and open-ended play with simple, practical ways to encourage early communication at home.

Come enjoy meaningful connection with your little one, pick up language-building strategies woven naturally into everyday play, and meet other local families in a relaxed, supportive setting.

Location: 2959 12 mile rd, Berkley MI 48072