Play Therapy

Does your child experience behavioral, emotional, developmental, or social challenges? At Sea Hope Counseling in St. Augustine, Florida, experienced licensed mental health counselor Kristin Christopher offers play therapy to help children with neurodivergence and other conditions thrive. Schedule an evaluation by calling the office or booking a visit online today.

What is play therapy?

Play therapy at Sea Hope Counseling offers a safe and creative space for children to explore their emotions, grow, and build resilience. Through the natural language of play, people of all ages can better understand themselves, build connections, develop healthy coping skills, and move forward with confidence.

What are the advantages of play therapy?

Play therapy helps children express thoughts and emotions they might not yet have words to describe. Through play, children can process trauma, stress, and behavioral challenges in a developmentally appropriate and evidence-based way. 

Play therapy at Sea Hope Counseling offers a safe space with no expectations or rules. Kids can utilize creative problem-solving skills and bottom-up thinking to pave the way for success and resilience as they grow and develop. 

Who benefits from play therapy?

Play therapy is highly beneficial for everyone, though it’s generally designed for children aged 3-12 who are experiencing social, emotional, behavioral, or developmental difficulties. It can be helpful for easing bothersome symptoms of grief, anxiety, trauma, emotional regulation challenges, behavioral difficulties, and family transitions. 

Play therapy is an excellent way to try situations and circumstances on for size without the fear of reality. It’s a way to prepare and practice for future situations that many children and teenagers encounter.

How does child-centered play therapy work?

At Sea Hope Counseling, child-centered play therapy offers a safe and structured environment where children lead the play. Kristin uses specific skills, including facilitation, tracking, reflection, and limit-setting to help your child build emotional regulation, self-awareness, problem solving skills, distress tolerance, and a stronger sense of self.

What is parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) plus play therapy?

Combining PCIT with play therapy helps strengthen the parent-child relationship while addressing common behavior concerns. 

As the parent, you’re coached in real time to use effective, play-based interaction skills. These skills boost positive behavior patterns, support better communication, and foster connection and limit setting to reduce challenging behaviors in your child’s daily life.

You can meet with Kristin as often as needed to help your child effectively progress through their journey and flourish in their home and school environments.

Schedule a play therapy evaluation at Sea Hope Counseling by calling the office or requesting a visit online today.