Children can benefit from therapy, just like adults. However, it's important to recognize that therapy for children is not simply a scaled-down version of therapy for adults. Children have unique ways of perceiving and interpreting the world around them. Recognizing this, child therapy requires a specialized approach that caters to their specific developmental, emotional, and social needs.
As a play therapist, I have special training in using developmentally-appropriate, play-based and expressive interventions to help children express their emotions, process their experiences, and practice new skills. Treatment is customized to suit each child's age, development, and individual circumstances, ensuring that therapy is a positive, nurturing, and empowering experience.
My work with children is guided by three core beliefs:
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Children often express themselves through behaviors because they might not have the words or the emotional literacy to articulate their feelings or needs. When a child's behavior is challenging, it's an invitation for adults to look deeper and understand the underlying emotional or developmental needs. Rather than viewing behavior as an isolated symptom, I consider it a window into the child's inner world.
Kids live up to the versions of themselves that we reflect back to them. When we focus solely on correcting a child's issues, we risk labeling the child as the problem, inadvertently reinforcing the very behaviors we aim to change. Instead, our role is to nurture their development, build their skills, and structure their environment for success. When children feel safe, seen, and supported, they can open themselves to growth, change, and healing.
Child therapy works best when caregivers are actively involved in the process. We’ll have regular parent sessions so you can understand your child’s progress and learn strategies to support them. By sharing insights and using the same language and strategies in therapy and at home, collaboration helps families work through challenges, heal, and grow together.
At Bright Path Collaborative Counseling, we support children and families with: