Children learn to play before they learn to walk or talk - play is a child's first language and it is their most natural form of communication. Young children who have experienced upsetting events and trauma often do not have the maturity to communicate their uncomfortable feelings and negative beliefs through words. In the play therapy experience, toys are the child’s words, and play is the language. Through the use of art, puppetry, sandtray, therapeutic stories, and games, children can often show metaphorically what they cannot communicate with words and thus experience healing. Play also provides emotional distance from distressing topics and builds a safe and enjoyable therapeutic relationship. Play therapy is effective for children as young as three years old and can continue to be helpful with older children and occasionally up into the teen years.
Our child therapists are trained in Play Therapy, AutPlay, and TheraPlay and help support children dealing with variouschallenges, including:
- Trauma
- Parent-Child Attachment
- Emotional Regulation
- ADHD
- Autisim
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Emotion Regulation
- Grief & Loss
- Stress
- Life Tranistions
- Relationship Challenges
- School Issues
Teens
There are many things that teens can do to support their well-being and therapy is often a good choice. Speaking with a therapist is an opportunity to talk about and process thoughts and emotions, and to more fully understand behaviours and reactions. Counselling is a great option for working through ideas, issues, and worries as well as for supporting transitions, challenges, barriers, and goals. Overall, therapy can help teens to participate in activities related to feeling better or supported, leading to personal growth and development.
Our trained therapists work with teens in dealing with a wide range of challenges including:
- Relationships - Family, Work, School, Friendships and Romantic
- Stress
- Life Tranistion
- Anxiety & Depression
- Trauma
- Grief & Loss
- Emotional Regulation
- Self-Esteem & Body Image
- Gender Identity
- Sexuality
