Typical Approaches 

Play Therapy

“There are many experiences in childhood in which children feel they have little or no control. Play is children’s way of working out balance and control in their lives.” - Garry Landreth

Play therapy is a developmentally appropriate way to support kids who have big feelings they don’t know how to explain or talk about. The therapist works to meet your child at their level, building trust and connection through the language they know best: play. Through toys, art, games, and imagination, children can express themselves more easily. Play therapy gives children a safe space to explore their thoughts and feelings, build emotional regulation skills, and gain confidence.

Trauma and Attachment

Trauma and attachment disruptions are often interconnected because they involve broken trust and a loss of your sense of felt safety. This affects how we connect to others and feel about ourselves. In therapy, healing isn’t just about processing those painful events; it’s also about gently exploring those deeper patterns and creating space for new, more secure ways of relating within the context of the therapeutic relationship.

EMDR

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidence-based approach designed to help clients process and heal from trauma. Using rhythmic eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation, the therapist guides the client in recalling a painful memory. This helps your brain think about the difficult memory differently so it feels less intense or overwhelming. Many people find that EMDR helps them feel more grounded, safe, and better able to remain present in their everyday lives.

Expressive and Nonverbal

While traditional talk therapy alone is powerful, expressive modalities allow you to explore emotions that can be hard to put in words. Through art, music, sand tray, writing, or movement, you can become more connected to your body and creativity while deepening your understanding of yourself. While useful for anyone, these experiences are especially helpful when working to process traumatic experiences.