Play Therapy in Philadelphia, PA
Helping your Child Find joy and Tackle Big Emotions
You’re worried about your child. They have big emotional responses and are showing some concerning behaviors. You may have considered therapy, but you’re not sure if it would help your child. Regardless, you want your child to feel safe and supported as they navigate their big feelings.
If you can relate, then play therapy may be right for your child.
What is Play Therapy:
Play therapy is a child-centered approach to counseling. During a session, a play therapist uses play and art activities to promote therapeutic healing. We know that play is a child’s first language. They use play to communicate their emotions, thoughts, and feelings when they don’t have the words. So, we encourage them to play to help them process, communicate, and cope with the big emotions they’re experiencing in a safe way. This helps them feel confident to tackle difficult emotions and feelings that would be hard to address otherwise.
COMMON REASONS TO CONSIDER PLAY THERAPY IN PHILADELPHIA, PA FOR YOUR CHILD:
Everyone has a somewhat different set of reasons for coming into play therapy. But, some of the common reasons children meet with a play therapist include:
To help children under the age of ten who have trouble expressing their feelings
Attachment-related concerns
Address relationship issues with family members, other adults, or peers
Parental separation or divorce
ADHD and autism
Anger or behavioral concerns
Difficult handling big life transitions
Difficulty making and/or keeping friends
Increased tantrums and blow-ups
Poor performance in school
Self-destructive behaviors like hair pulling, skin-picking, nail-biting
Poor self-esteem or self-confidence
Feeling sad and depressed
Talking about or engaging in self-harm (cutting, burning)
Explicit mentions about suicide
Play THERAPY IN PHILADELPHIA, PA CAN HELP YOUR CHILD FEEL HOPEFUL AGAIN
A CERTIFIED PLAY THERAPIST IN PHILADELPHIA, PA FROM OUR TEAM CAN HELP
Amel Counseling therapists are qualified to help your child express their feelings and needs with confidence. Our therapists have years of experience. We've worked with kids and teens in homes, schools, residential placements, and hospitals. We have extensive experience and training in behavior, attachment, and trauma. So, we understand how kids process changes and can struggle with big issues. We match children to their ideal therapist based on need. Plus, our therapists’ specialties. We use a combination of play therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Brainspotting.
Play Therapy can help your 7777777777777777777child…
Learn how to express their emotions
Gain confidence
Improve social skills
Manage big emotions
Feel more responsible for their behaviors
Gain problem-solving skills
AMEL COUNSELING’S APPROACH TO PLay THERAPY IN PHILADELPHIA, PA
Our approach is child-centered. We are open, calm, and playful, which helps work with children. We often use non-directive interventions as appropriate. This results in high engagement with kids. Parents play a huge role in the therapeutic process. A kid can feel amazing in our office. But, what good is that if they are still miserable at home and school? One of our key values is communication. Our goal is to help improve communication between you and your child. We also offer parent sessions as part of treatment. Thus, allowing for extra support and coaching.
We understand what they may be going through and how unsafe the world can feel. So, we aim to provide a safe place to work alongside them in their healing. Every child is invited to bring whatever is present for them and arrive as they are. We all are “perfectly imperfect”.
WHAT IS KEEPING YOU FROM GETTING YOUR CHILD A THERAPIST?
“IT COSTS TOO MUCH.”
Ok, let’s be real. Therapy is a pretty big emotional and financial commitment. So the fact that you are researching play therapy like crazy means it much be worth it, right? Each of our therapists’ rates varies by experience and training. This way we can be as accessible as possible.
“OUR SCHEDULE IS ALREADY PACKED.”
We definitely understand how hectic life can be. Therefore, our therapists offer after-school, weekend, and virtual appointments.
“MY KID HATED VIRTUAL SCHOOL AND WON’T DO WELL WITH ONLINE THERAPY.”
We’ve found that kids have done pretty well with virtual therapy over the past year. Therapy is very different from having to sit in a class. We use a lot of creative activities to keep them engaged.
“I DON’T THINK MY CHILD WILL WANT TO GO TO THERAPY.”
Initially, they may be a bit nervous, which is completely normal. When framed positively, kids are pretty excited to come to play therapy.
“MY CHILD MAY BE TOO YOUNG FOR THERAPY.”
This may be the case for talk therapy. But, this is why play therapy is wonderful! It offers a way for kids to process big emotions. Play is their primary language.
It’s not easy managing your tough situation but the good news is that it's possible for your child to feel better. You don’t have to do this alone!
BEGIN Play THERAPY IN PHILADELPHIA, PA
Your child deserves support as they learn to voice their emotions. Our caring therapists can help your child cope with a variety of new experiences. We have the training and compassion to offer quality services from our Philadelphia, PA-based therapy practice. To start your therapy journey, please follow these steps:
Meet with a caring therapist
Start thriving with the support of play therapy
OTHER SERVICES OFFERED WITH AMEL THERAPY
Play therapy isn’t the only service offered at our Philadelphia, PA-based therapy practice. We also offer online therapy, trauma therapy, counseling for teens, grief and loss therapy, therapy for teens and kids of color, and support for parents. You can also learn more about parent coaching and our group offerings. This includes the worry warriors, culturally confident teen group, and our social skills group.