Play Therapy

The Healing Power of Play

Play therapy provides a safe and developmentally appropriate space for children to work through overwhelming emotions. When children have lived through medical procedures, hospitalizations, or grief, their play often mirrors these experiences. A child may repeat a medical scenario to regain a sense of control, or use art materials to express sadness that words cannot convey.

Research supports play therapy as an effective way to help children manage medical trauma, anxiety, grief, behavioral changes, or adjustment to illness. In therapy, children integrate their experiences rather than avoid them. Over time, they begin to relax, express more freely, and rebuild trust in their bodies and relationships.

Parents often notice small but meaningful changes. Their child may seem calmer, more talkative, or more able to play without distress. Sleep, focus, and emotional regulation often improve. These changes are signs that the child’s nervous system is settling and that healing is taking root.

A Collaborative and Creative Approach

Every child is unique, so my approach to play therapy in Vermont is flexible and creative. I draw from child-centered play therapy, expressive arts, sand tray therapy, and solution-focused techniques. Some children communicate best through drawing or storytelling. Others prefer building, role-playing, or imaginative games. My goal is to follow each child’s lead while gently guiding the process toward understanding and relief.

I do not view behavior as something to fix. Behavior is communication. When a child’s emotions are too big to name, behavior often becomes the language of distress. Instead of focusing on stopping behaviors, I work to understand what those behaviors are expressing. When children feel understood and supported, they naturally begin to regulate their emotions, and their behavior improves.

The playroom becomes a place of discovery. Through play, children practice new ways of coping, test out bravery, and find comfort in being fully seen. Over time, they develop stronger emotional awareness and self-confidence.

The Role of Family-Centered Care

Children grow, learn, and heal within relationships. They cannot be separated from their environment. For that reason, family-centered care is at the heart of my work. I collaborate closely with caregivers so that the progress made in therapy extends into daily life.

I regularly meet with parents to share observations, discuss strategies, and explore how the family can best support the child’s growth. These conversations often bring clarity and relief. Parents gain insight into what their child’s play is communicating and discover new ways to respond with empathy and consistency.

At times, caregivers are invited to join part of a session. Working together through play strengthens connection and helps the child feel safe. Parents often find these shared moments deeply meaningful. They see their child’s resilience and learn how small shifts in presence and curiosity can make a lasting difference.

This collaborative work ensures that the entire family becomes part of the healing process. When children feel supported at home, therapy becomes more effective and sustainable.

When Play Therapy Can Help

Parents usually reach out for child therapy when they notice signs that their child is struggling. These might include withdrawal, anxiety, irritability, changes in sleep or appetite, or fears that seem to come out of nowhere. Sometimes, the child’s play itself communicates distress through repetition, aggression, or themes of danger or loss.

Play therapy can be beneficial for children who are:

• Adjusting to a medical diagnosis, hospitalization, or chronic illness

• Experiencing grief or loss after a loved one’s death

• Showing fear of medical settings or health-related anxiety

• Recovering from traumatic or invasive medical procedures

• Managing changes in family structure or routines

• Experiencing ongoing stress at school or difficulty separating from caregivers

If you are unsure whether play therapy is right for your child, I offer consultations to explore what you are noticing and whether this approach would be a good fit.

Creating Safety and Building Resilience

The most rewarding part of my work is watching a child’s natural resilience emerge. Children have an incredible capacity to adapt and grow when they feel safe and understood. Through play therapy, I have seen children transform fear into courage, sadness into hope, and isolation into connection.

Therapy becomes a space where laughter and tears can coexist. It is a space where healing is not forced but unfolds naturally. Families often report feeling more connected and hopeful as their child becomes calmer and more expressive.

For children coping with illness, grief, or medical stress, play therapy offers a path toward healing that honors their voice and their pace. It helps them integrate difficult experiences and strengthens the family’s ability to support one another.

A Note to Parents

If your child has faced illness, loss, or prolonged stress, you may feel unsure about how to help. Play therapy offers a gentle, evidence-based way to begin. Together, we will learn about your child’s world, build on their strengths, and create a sense of stability and connection within your family.

You do not need to have all the answers. Healing begins with curiosity, compassion, and one safe space to play.

Helping Children Heal Through Play

For children, play is not just entertainment. It is the language of emotion, imagination, and meaning. Through play, children make sense of the world around them, process big feelings, and learn who they are. As a child therapist and Clinical Psychologist in Vermont, I believe deeply in the healing power of play as a bridge to understanding, growth, and connection.

Children often do not have the words to describe fear, sadness, or confusion. Play gives them a safe way to express what is happening inside. It helps them tell their story, even when speaking feels impossible. In my practice, play therapy is not a tool for fixing problems. It is the foundation of how I connect with children and help them rediscover safety and trust.

When I step into a child’s world of play, I enter a place where their emotions and experiences come alive. A hospital stay might appear as a scene with medical toys. A figure might express bravery or fear. Through play, I can begin to see how a child understands illness, loss, or change. Together, we explore those feelings with care and curiosity.