Play Therapy for Children in Loudoun County
Play gives children another language. Through toys, games, pretend play, art, sand tray, movement, and other creative experiences, children can explore feelings and experiences that may be difficult to put into words.
Sometimes the therapist follows the child’s lead. Other times, the therapist introduces activities to help a child explore, practice, or work through something specific. Both approaches can be powerful. Watch the videos below for more info.
What Does Play Therapy Look Like With a Little One?
Watch the video to the left to find out.
In this video, you’ll see the therapeutic play of a child who woke up during eye surgery, along with examples of darker trauma themes that can emerge in the playroom
This style of play therapy is called "Child Centered Play Therapy". It is when a child comes into the room, plays and we turn it into therapy.
Details have been changed to protect the privacy & identity of the children.
What Does Play Therapy Look Like With an Older Child?
Watch the video to the right to find out.
In this video, you'll see how incorporating activities, therapeutic games, and playfulness can make it easier for older children to open up and talk about what's going on in their lives.
I think of this approach as similar to a creative fourth-grade teacher who uses hands-on experiences to help important concepts really click.
When children have opportunities to explore their emotions through experiences rather than words alone, they can develop a deeper understanding of themselves, practice managing big feelings, and have fun along the way.
What Can Play Therapy
Help With?
We don’t choose an approach based only on a diagnosis. We look at the whole child, including their age, personality, experiences, relationships, strengths, and the ways they naturally connect.
Families come to us for many different reasons. Sometimes there has been an obvious change or difficult event. Other times, parents simply know that something doesn’t feel right.
Play Therapy May be Helpful for Children Experiencing:
Anxiety, worries, or fears
Big emotions or frequent meltdowns
Grief and loss
Trauma or frightening experiences
Divorce, separation, or changes within the family
School stress or school avoidance
Friendship and social difficulties
Low self-esteem or lack of confidence
Medical experiences or chronic illness
Anger or behavioral changes
Trouble expressing feelings
Stress related to neurodivergence or feeling different from peers