“Play is how children work through emotions, make sense of their world, and build resilience.”
— Dr. Garry Landreth

Child & Adolescent

Every child comes with their own unique story, shaped by their personality, development, and the world around them. Child therapy focuses on getting to know the whole child — not just what’s happening on the outside, but what’s going on underneath the behaviors and big feelings. Kids are supported in making sense of their emotions, learning new ways to cope, and building healthier ways to connect with themselves and others. Caregivers are part of the process too, with support and guidance to help create a home environment that feels safe, supportive, and emotionally healthy. Sessions include hands-on tools and strategies that build emotional resilience, encourage positive behavior, and strengthen the parent-child bond.

Play is a big part of the work — especially through expressive arts — because play is how kids communicate best. It gives children a safe, creative space to explore feelings they might not have words for yet and practice new ways of relating to the world. The goal is simple: to help children feel more understood, supported, and confident — and to help families experience more connection, calm, and joy along the way.

  • Play therapy, in my work, is a relationship before it is a technique. When a child comes into my space, I’m not expecting them to sit and talk. I’m meeting them in their world. That might look like sitting on the floor building, drawing, acting out stories, or simply following their lead as they move from one activity to another. I pay close attention to the themes in their play, the way they solve problems, express big feelings, or make sense of relationships. I reflect those experiences back in a way that helps them feel seen and understood. I pull from narrative, behavioral, and expressive arts approaches, so sometimes we’re externalizing a problem through a story, other times we’re practicing new coping skills through play or creating something that represents what they’re feeling. I’m also always holding the bigger picture in mind of how their developmental stage, family system, and past experiences are shaping what shows up in the room. My goal is to create a space where the child feels safe enough to be fully themselves, while gently guiding them toward emotional awareness, regulation, and healthier ways of interacting with their world.

    • Anxiety, depression, and mood disruptions

    • Defiant or oppositional behavior

    • Social challenges (e.g., bullying, social skills development)

    • Grief and loss

    • Academic difficulties or behavioral struggles at school

    • Adjustment issues (e.g., blended family, divorce, new sibling)

    • Attachment insecurity or difficulty forming relationships

    • History of trauma or adverse experiences

    • Difficulty with emotional regulation

    • Difficulty managing stress or anxiety in social settings

  • Parents and caregivers are an essential part of the counseling process because children don’t grow and heal in isolation — they grow within their relationships and their home environment. When caregivers are involved, children feel safer, more supported, and more confident practicing new skills outside of session. Caregiver participation also helps ensure that what a child is learning in therapy can be reinforced at home in ways that feel consistent and meaningful. It allows space to notice patterns, understand what a child’s behavior is communicating, and respond in ways that meet the child’s underlying needs. Being willing to participate means showing up with curiosity, openness, and a willingness to reflect — not perfection.

    Caregivers are not expected to attend every session, but availability and willingness to participate when needed is important for meaningful progress. Sometimes that looks like joining part of a session, having periodic check-ins, or simply staying open to feedback and reflection.