Explore play therapy services designed for children. At River Forest Therapy, we use play, creativity, and trust to help kids express, heal, and thrive.

Child-Centered Play Therapy:

Child-Centered Play Therapy is founded on the belief that acceptance and safety in the therapeutic relationship and room, provides sufficient conditions for the child to heal, feel, and grow. Through the play therapy lens, toys are viewed as symbolic expressions of a child’s inner world. They are the child’s’ words. While adults rely often on verbal communication to express ideas and share feelings, children naturally rely on play to build and understand their world.

Play is self-directed and allows ample opportunities for a child to feel, reflect, and communicate what they have experienced. Through play and an empathetic child therapist, children are able to create a more cohesive narrative of who they are. The play therapist is attuned to the intentions and emotional patterns of the child, therefore, helping to build a more secure sense of self.

What does play therapy address and help with?

Play Therapy is a developmentally appropriate modality for most children. It can address behavioral issues, emotional concerns, and trauma.

Children learn to:

• Develop self-efficacy and increased trust in their abilities

• Express and identify their emotions

• Foster deeper social connections with people in their environment

• Improve their acceptance of self and others

• Work on improving self-control and building self-awareness

• Heal and process difficult and/or frightening situations (trauma)

  
  

How do I know if my child needs therapy?

Every child goes through times of stress and calm; however, here are a few indicators your child may benefit from more support:

• Meltdowns that are impacting their experiences at school and home

• Significant changes in mood (withdrawing, increased crying, excessive worry, anger outburst, difficulty sleeping)

• Difficulty adjusting to major life changes (loss/grief, moving, divorce, natural disasters)

• Aggression towards self or others

• Ongoing somatic symptoms (stomachaches, headaches)

Parent Involvement:

Depending on the age, I normally meet with parents every 3-4 weeks. This is a time for you to share observations (home & school life), ask questions, and address any concerns. We will develop specific goals and a plan for how to best support your child and family. As the therapist, I share therapeutic observations, provide parent support, and continue to asses progress towards goals.

It is a goal of mine for you, as the parent, to be heard, to deepen the parent-child bond, and have a deeper understanding of your child.

How long does Play Therapy take?

To reach therapeutic goals, Play Therapy on average takes between 20-24 sessions, however; the length of time depends on the concerns.