Why Play Therapy?

 Play is a natural means of creative thinking, self-expression, and creativity. In counseling through play, children are encouraged to explore themselves through play. The child’s play serves as the means to communicate his/her thoughts and feelings in a way that children often cannot say through words.  

 Counseling through play provides a safe way for children to address and resolve the problems they may be experiencing, and the child begins to find and build new coping skills and alternate solutions for issues outside the play room. 

Counseling through play differs from regular play because the counselor works to help the child express his/her thoughts and emotions and promote positive solutions. Play functions at the child’s developmental level, and by doing so it serves as a natural and comfortable way for the child to communicate. When children can communicate or play out how they feel to someone who understands, they feel better because their feelings have been released.  

More Info: Association for Play Therapy

    PCIT is a two part, evidence-based treatment for young children with emotional and  behavioral problems.  ​This approach focuses on improving the quality of the parent-child relationship and changing parent child interactions. Children and caregivers are seen together in in PCIT. The decision to whether PCIT is the most appropriate treatment for you and your child is between you and your mental health professional.   

PCIT is conducted through "coaching" sessions during which you and your child are in a playroom while the therapist is in an observation room watching you interact with your child through a one-way mirror and/or live video feed. You wear a "bug-in-the-ear" device through which the therapist provides in-the-moment coaching on skills you are learning to manage your child's behavior.   

More Info: PCIT International

 "Strong women aren't simply born.  We are forged through the challenges of life. With each challenge we grow mentally and emotionally. We move forward with our head held high and a strength that can not be denied. A woman who's been through the storm and survived.  We are warriors." -Unknown 

We understand the complex and subtle needs that women bring to session.  Keeping it all together, balancing responsibilities, toxic shame, cultural expectations, anxiety, trauma, depression, and myriad other life experiences can lead to depletion and exhaustion.  Rise and Shine is a gentle, safe, and empowering place to land to acquire needed support and courage to be vulnerable.