Play Therapy

Toys are children’s words and play is their language.

  • Garry Landreth

What is it like in your home these days?

Is your child irritable or angry all the time?

Do you find yourself walking on eggshells to avoid a fight?

Is your child highly emotional, cries easily, or shuts down quickly?

Does your child struggle with worry and anxiety?

Does it feel like your every request leads to an argument?

Play therapy may be the path back to peace and connection that your family has been looking for.

Developmentally appropriate healing for children

Before children learn how to speak, they learn through sensory experience, through relationship, and through play. When words are not enough and communication is not yet mastered, disruptive behaviors emerge. All behaviors make sense if we look through the lens of a child and consider alternative communications attempts like play. Specializing in play therapy, Lindsey is fluent in the language of play and uses child-centered play therapy to help children better understand their emotional and relational experiences.

Child-centered play therapy is a widely used therapeutic approach that allows children to express themselves through play. In this non-directive method, the therapist creates a safe and accepting environment where children can freely explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences. The focus is on the child leading the play session while the therapist follows, offering support and empathy. Through play, children can communicate, process difficult emotions, develop problem-solving skills, and build self-esteem. Child-centered play therapy has been shown to be effective in helping children cope with various issues such as trauma, anxiety, family conflict, behavioral problems, and social difficulties.

Lindsey is proud to offer a fully equipped playroom designed with care and featuring a diverse selection of therapeutic toys and tools that will effectively meet your child where they are at in their emotional and developmental journey.

Healing when the whole family hurts

A child’s behavior can often disrupt harmony in the whole family and all behavior makes sense if we consider it as your child’s attempt to communicate. In all cases, Lindsey is committed to working with parents to understand their child’s behavior and explore parenting strategies that improves connection, builds compassion, reduces emotional dysregulation, and honors your family’s values.

Lindsey uses a two-pronged approach when working with children. Play therapy is a significant part of children reconciling their emotional experiences AND a collaborative parent-therapist relationship is equally important to the process of change. Families can expect regular communication from Lindsey to compare notes on events and behaviors at home and emerging play therapy themes in session.

Get started with Mullins Counseling today.