Child-Centered Play Therapy for Children +3

Who Play Therapy Is For

This service is for your kiddo, ages 3 and up, when something just feels off and you can't quite put your finger on it. Maybe your child is having a harder time with big emotions than you expected for their age, or you're noticing changes in their behavior, mood, sleep, or ability to cope with everyday routines. You might be thinking, "This isn't like them," or "I don't know how to help them through this."

This is for your child if your family is navigating things like divorce or separation, changes in custody or home routines, or blending families in a way that's been harder on your little one than anyone expected. It's also for kiddos who are struggling with self-esteem, finding their voice, making or keeping friends, or feeling confident in who they are. Maybe you're seeing more frequent meltdowns, withdrawal, anxiety, aggression, or shutdowns—and you just want to understand what's really going on underneath it all.

And underneath all of that behavior is usually something much deeper: a child who is trying to make sense of their world, but doesn't yet have the words to do it.

What you likely want most is not just for the behaviors to calm down, but for your child to feel safe, secure, and understood. You want them to feel confident in themselves, able to express what they need, and supported in building healthy relationships at home, at school, and with peers. And just as importantly, you want to feel more confident too—like you're not guessing anymore, and you have a clearer way to support your child through what they're going through.

How We Help

Our Therapeutic Approach

We use Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), a developmentally appropriate, evidence-based approach that allows children to communicate through play—their natural language. Instead of directing or instructing the child, the therapist provides a safe, consistent, and accepting environment where the child leads the session.

Through play, children naturally process emotions, experiences, and stressors in a way that feels safe and non-threatening. Over time, this supports emotional regulation, self-expression, and healing from difficult experiences.

What a Session With Us Looks Like

A play therapy session takes place in a warm, child-friendly playroom filled with carefully selected toys and materials. Your child is invited to lead the session while the therapist observes, reflects, and gently supports emotional expression through play.

You may see your child using dolls, art materials, sand trays, imaginative play, or storytelling. While it may look like "just play," it is deeply therapeutic work that helps children process what they cannot yet verbalize.

Parents are an important part of the process as well, and regular check-ins are used to support understanding, progress, and connection between home and therapy.

Our Practice's Expertise in This Area

Our clinicians are trained in Child-Centered Play Therapy and child development-informed approaches. We understand how early emotional experiences shape behavior, attachment, and long-term emotional health.

We are committed to creating a safe, nurturing space where children feel seen without pressure, correction, or judgment—allowing healing to unfold at their natural pace.

Issues We Address

Play Therapy for Anxiety in Children

We help children who experience excessive worry, fear of separation, school anxiety, or social hesitation. Through play, children learn to express fears safely and develop internal coping strategies that reduce overwhelm and increase confidence.

Play Therapy for Behavioral Challenges

This includes frequent tantrums, aggression, defiance, emotional outbursts, or difficulty following routines. Play therapy helps children process underlying emotional needs rather than simply suppressing behaviors.

Play Therapy for Trauma & Stressful Experiences

Children who have experienced trauma, medical procedures, divorce, loss, or instability often struggle to make sense of their world. Play therapy provides a safe space to process experiences at their own pace without pressure to verbally explain.

Play Therapy for Grief & Loss

We support children navigating the death of a loved one, pet loss, or family separation. Through symbolic play, children are able to express grief in a developmentally appropriate and healing way.

Play Therapy for Emotional Regulation

Some children struggle with big emotions that feel overwhelming or unpredictable. We help children build awareness, expression, and regulation skills so they can better manage emotional experiences.

Play Therapy for Life Transitions

Whether it's divorce, blending families, moving, or starting a new school, transitions can feel destabilizing for children. Play therapy helps restore a sense of safety, stability, and emotional grounding.

What Families Experience

Families often notice their child begins to:

• Express emotions more safely and appropriately
• Experience fewer and less intense behavioral outbursts
• Feel more secure and confident in daily routines
• Show improved sleep, mood, and emotional regulation
• Develop healthier ways of coping with stress and change
• Strengthen connection and communication within the family

What to Expect

The First Session

The first session focuses on getting to know your child, understanding what brought you in, and helping your child feel comfortable in the playroom. Parents may also spend time sharing background information, concerns, and goals for therapy.

The Following Sessions

Ongoing sessions are consistent and structured in a way that allows your child to build trust, safety, and emotional expression over time. Sessions typically involve child-led play with therapeutic reflection and emotional support.

Session Length

Sessions are typically 45 minutes once per week, depending on the child's needs and treatment plan.

Tracking Progress

Progress is observed through behavioral changes, emotional regulation, parent feedback, and therapist observations. Regular parent check-ins are used to ensure alignment and support growth at home and school.

Insurance & Investment

We accept the following insurance plans: Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, Curative, Sana Benefits, First Health, UnitedHealthcare, Scott & White Health Plan, and UMR. For clients using out-of-network benefits, we can provide a superbill for possible reimbursement.

Self-pay rates — Doctoral Therapist: initial intake session $250, standard 45-minute sessions $200, extended 60-minute sessions $250. Associate Therapist: initial intake session $100, standard 45-minute sessions $80, extended 60-minute sessions $100.

A limited number of reduced-fee sliding scale spots may be available based on need. We also accept FSA and HSA cards.

When You're Ready

Starting therapy for your child is a meaningful way to support what you're already working hard to do at home—helping them feel safe, understood, and emotionally supported. When you're ready, you can schedule a Play Therapy Consultation to get started.