What is play therapy?
Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy for children that uses play — including toys, sandtray, art, games, storytelling, and imaginative activities — to help them express thoughts, feelings, and experiences they may not yet have the words for.

A trained therapist guides the process, creating a safe space where children can explore challenges, build confidence, and strengthen emotional and social skills — all through the language they know best: play.

Why is it important that you’re a Certified Play Therapist (CPT)?
Great question! A lot of people say they’re “play therapists,” but being a Certified Play Therapist means something very specific — it shows I’ve done a lot of focused training and hands-on work to really understand how to help kids through play.

To get certified through the Canadian Association for Play Therapy (CAPT), I had to complete a Master’s degree or have an equivalent professional license, plus:

180 hours of specialized training in play therapy

500 hours of supervised clinical practice using play therapy with kids

50+ hours of clinical supervision focused just on play therapy

An essay and application to demonstrate my knowledge and skills

And it’s not just a one-time thing — I keep up with regular supervision and ongoing learning to make sure I’m offering the best support possible.

Being certified means you can trust that I’m equipped with the right tools and experience to help your child through play in a safe, effective, and caring way.

What kinds of challenges can play therapy help with for young children?

Play therapy can support children dealing with anxiety, emotional regulation, anger and aggression, behavioral challenges, trauma, grief and loss, separation and divorce, difficulty with transitions, low self-esteem, social skills difficulties, peer conflict, attachment challenges, parent-child relationship issues, impulse control, attention difficulties, limited verbal expression, and adjustment to life changes.

How many sessions will my child need?

The number of sessions will vary for each child and parent depending on your needs and goals for counselling. I recommend committing to a minimum of 10 sessions to give enough time for assessment, relationship-building, and learning a few skills, while 20-25 sessions would be a more ideal range for play therapy.

Most families come to Courageous Counselling because they know their child needs more than general child therapy.  My experience has shown that it isn’t possible to estimate length and instead it’s an ongoing discussion throughout the process.  Some families see major shifts in 3-4 months and other children have more layers to work through, requiring more time.  Children may also need to return to therapy at different stages of their life. 

Is my child too young for therapy?

I work with children as young as 3. At this age, therapy focuses on play, connection and working closely with parents.

What if my child doesn’t want to go to therapy?

That’s completely normal — a lot of kids feel unsure or even say "no" at first. Starting something new, especially with someone they’ve never met before, can feel scary. Even grown-ups feel that way sometimes.
In my sessions, there’s no pressure and nothing your child has to talk about or do. I go at their pace, and I use play, sandtray, art, games or whatever medium is the best fit for them to feel comfortable and safe. Most kids feel more relaxed after just one visit.

If your child is strongly resistant, it can help to give them some choice and a sense of involvement. One strategy is to say something like: "We’re going to meet someone who helps kids and parents with tricky feelings. I understand you don’t want to go.  We’ll try three sessions and then decide together what we want to do next." This approach gives your child some say in the process, which can help reduce resistance and build trust. And if you ever feel stuck, I’m always here to talk through what might help make those first steps easier.

Do you work with teens or youth?

Yes, I do sometimes work with youth — especially when there’s a need for continuity in care or when it’s a good relational fit.

That said, I want to be upfront: supporting teens is not my current specialty. While I have experience working with adolescents, my training, clinical focus, and supervision are currently centered on working with younger children who have vulnerable nervous systems, and on supporting their parents.

If you're looking for support for a teen, I’d be happy to chat and help you decide whether I’m the right fit — or offer referrals to trusted colleagues who specialize in adolescent care.

What specialized training do you have to support children and families?
I have completed specialized training in a variety of evidence-based and relational approaches, including:

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing): A trauma-focused therapy that helps children process difficult memories using bilateral stimulation—often integrated into play to support safety and emotional distance.

Theraplay®: A playful, attachment-based approach that strengthens parent-child connection through structured, nurturing activities.

Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP): A therapy that helps parents build trust and emotional safety with their child through empathy, playfulness, and understanding.

Circle of Security® Parenting: A relationship-based parenting program supporting caregivers in recognizing and responding to their child’s emotional needs to promote secure attachment.

Synergetic Play Therapy (Level 1, working toward Certification): A neuroscience-informed approach that helps children process experiences through play while building emotional regulation, self-awareness, and connection with themselves and caregivers.

Robyn Gobbel’s Immersion Program: A 12-month program focused on relational neuroscience and practical, brain-based tools to support parents with connection, regulation, and felt safety.

This diverse training equips me to tailor support uniquely to your child’s needs and your family’s strengths.