Play Therapy in N2H
Brian Martin
Registered Psychotherapist
Verified Verified
Kitchener, ON N2H
I work with children and preteens using both a child centered play therapy approach and incorporating CBT, solution focused and other theoretical orientations into my play based work.
Do you want an empathic ear and a voice that instills hope in times of stress, anxiety and depression? I offer a safe and non-judgmental space to work through the things you are facing. In addition to working with individuals dealing with anxiety, grief, depression and life stresses, I work with couples looking to improve their communication. I am skilled at finding each person’s love language, improving conflict resolution and helping couples communicate more effectively.
I work with children and preteens using both a child centered play therapy approach and incorporating CBT, solution focused and other theoretical orientations into my play based work.
Do you want an empathic ear and a voice that instills hope in times of stress, anxiety and depression? I offer a safe and non-judgmental space to work through the things you are facing. In addition to working with individuals dealing with anxiety, grief, depression and life stresses, I work with couples looking to improve their communication. I am skilled at finding each person’s love language, improving conflict resolution and helping couples communicate more effectively.
Jisca Rodriguez
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), RP (Q), MMT, MTA
Verified Verified
Kitchener, ON N2H
I work with children, preteens, and teens, using music and play in a child-centred approach to give them a language to connect and work through presenting issues.
I offer a warm and engaging environment where clients can discover strengths, overcome challenges and work towards goals in a safe creative space. I focus on providing creative mediums like music and play as a compliment or alternative to verbal therapy, aiming to open up many possibilities for communication, expression, and growth. I am a certified music therapist, a qualifying psychotherapist, and have also completed training in child-centred play therapy. Clients do not need to have any previous musical experience or training to engage in music therapy.
I work with children, preteens, and teens, using music and play in a child-centred approach to give them a language to connect and work through presenting issues.
I offer a warm and engaging environment where clients can discover strengths, overcome challenges and work towards goals in a safe creative space. I focus on providing creative mediums like music and play as a compliment or alternative to verbal therapy, aiming to open up many possibilities for communication, expression, and growth. I am a certified music therapist, a qualifying psychotherapist, and have also completed training in child-centred play therapy. Clients do not need to have any previous musical experience or training to engage in music therapy.
Farrah Hemani
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), BA, ECE
Verified Verified
Kitchener, ON N2H
As a child psychotherapist, my approach involves keen observation of a child's play, drawings, words, and behavior. Through this process, I help children verbalize the thoughts and emotions underlying their challenging behaviors. I tailor my methods to each individual child or family, ensuring an age-appropriate approach. Maintaining a neutral and non-directive stance, I create an atmosphere where children and adolescents feel free to express themselves without fear of punishment or rejection. This fosters trust and understanding, allowing them to communicate their hopes and fears ultimately shaping their perception of the world.
As a child psychotherapist, my approach involves keen observation of a child's play, drawings, words, and behavior. Through this process, I help children verbalize the thoughts and emotions underlying their challenging behaviors. I tailor my methods to each individual child or family, ensuring an age-appropriate approach. Maintaining a neutral and non-directive stance, I create an atmosphere where children and adolescents feel free to express themselves without fear of punishment or rejection. This fosters trust and understanding, allowing them to communicate their hopes and fears ultimately shaping their perception of the world.
Monica Trela
BSc
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Kitchener, ON N2H
Whether it be behavioural issues, shyness, grief, or anger, we will use art, talk, and/or play-based therapy to best suit the client's interests and needs.
Children and adolescents want to feel understood, supported, and empowered to overcome their challenges. They desire acceptance, validation, and the tools necessary to navigate their world successfully. Ultimately, they seek happiness, fulfillment, and the opportunity to grow into confident, capable individuals. They want to be heard because their experiences, emotions, and perspectives are valid and important. By addressing their needs and goals, we can help them build a foundation for a brighter future.
Whether it be behavioural issues, shyness, grief, or anger, we will use art, talk, and/or play-based therapy to best suit the client's interests and needs.
Children and adolescents want to feel understood, supported, and empowered to overcome their challenges. They desire acceptance, validation, and the tools necessary to navigate their world successfully. Ultimately, they seek happiness, fulfillment, and the opportunity to grow into confident, capable individuals. They want to be heard because their experiences, emotions, and perspectives are valid and important. By addressing their needs and goals, we can help them build a foundation for a brighter future.
Jennifer O'Connor
Registered Social Worker, MSW, RSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Kitchener, ON N2H
Are you carrying the pain of traumatic memories with you on a day to day basis? Would you like relief from flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, nightmares and symptoms of trauma? I am a Certified EMDR therapist who specializes in supporting individuals in processing traumatic experiences to reduce symptoms. In counselling, I work to help individuals to identify, strengthen and develop their coping skills by creating an empathic space to explore feelings. I am passionate about offering strength-based counselling to help individuals work towards well-being and find ways to maintain connections with what is important to them.
Are you carrying the pain of traumatic memories with you on a day to day basis? Would you like relief from flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, nightmares and symptoms of trauma? I am a Certified EMDR therapist who specializes in supporting individuals in processing traumatic experiences to reduce symptoms. In counselling, I work to help individuals to identify, strengthen and develop their coping skills by creating an empathic space to explore feelings. I am passionate about offering strength-based counselling to help individuals work towards well-being and find ways to maintain connections with what is important to them.
Street Therapy
Registered Psychotherapist, MPsy, RP, (CRPO), CCC
Verified Verified
5 Endorsed
Kitchener, ON N2H
Bernadette Street, clinical supervisor and director of Street Therapy, has over 13 years of experience working with children, youth and adults. Street Therapy is a group practice, providing mental health services for clients across the lifespan. Our practitioners come from diverse academic, religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds, practicing within the neurodiversity and anti-oppressive frameworks. We strive to provide a safe space for clinicians and clients alike to explore and engage in collaborative, and respectful, psychotherapeutic relationships.
Bernadette Street, clinical supervisor and director of Street Therapy, has over 13 years of experience working with children, youth and adults. Street Therapy is a group practice, providing mental health services for clients across the lifespan. Our practitioners come from diverse academic, religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds, practicing within the neurodiversity and anti-oppressive frameworks. We strive to provide a safe space for clinicians and clients alike to explore and engage in collaborative, and respectful, psychotherapeutic relationships.
Laura Teutsch
Registered Psychotherapist, MMT, RP, MTA
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
Kitchener, ON N2H
Laura uses psychotherapy and music therapy working with individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and autism. Meeting every client where they are on their life journey, Laura enters each new therapeutic relationship with passion, prepared to learn her clients’ stories and what makes them who they are. Laura strongly believes that the therapeutic relationship must be built on mutual respect, trust, and unconditional positive regard, and that these are central to any therapy process.
Laura uses psychotherapy and music therapy working with individuals who struggle with anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and autism. Meeting every client where they are on their life journey, Laura enters each new therapeutic relationship with passion, prepared to learn her clients’ stories and what makes them who they are. Laura strongly believes that the therapeutic relationship must be built on mutual respect, trust, and unconditional positive regard, and that these are central to any therapy process.
Cortney Van Allen
Registered Psychotherapist, RP
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Kitchener, ON N2H
Hi there, I'm Cortney, a licensed psychotherapist with experience helping individuals ages 13+ overcome mental health challenges. I specialize in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which has been shown to be effective for a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and trauma. I also use mindfulness-based techniques to help clients cultivate greater self-awareness and self-compassion.
Hi there, I'm Cortney, a licensed psychotherapist with experience helping individuals ages 13+ overcome mental health challenges. I specialize in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which has been shown to be effective for a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and trauma. I also use mindfulness-based techniques to help clients cultivate greater self-awareness and self-compassion.
Vera Kelim
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MPsy, OAMHP
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Kitchener, ON N2H
Hello! For Adults my expertise is challenging emotions, difficult periods of your life, coping with grief, trauma, and stress. My special area of experience is work with Children, Teens, and Parents. Any questions about parenting, development, processing difficult experiences and emotions: I'm here to help you. Psychotherapy is my vocation, and I've been working in private and group counselling for over 20 years. I'm fluent in both Russian and English.
Hello! For Adults my expertise is challenging emotions, difficult periods of your life, coping with grief, trauma, and stress. My special area of experience is work with Children, Teens, and Parents. Any questions about parenting, development, processing difficult experiences and emotions: I'm here to help you. Psychotherapy is my vocation, and I've been working in private and group counselling for over 20 years. I'm fluent in both Russian and English.
LifeCycle Counselling
Registered Psychotherapist
Verified Verified
Kitchener, ON N2H
Accepting New Clients - No Waitlist! When you feel stuck, we can help. At LifeCycle Counselling we recognize how difficult it is to take the first step towards therapy, speak about your difficulties and explore uncomfortable emotions. We are a BIPOC clinic in the GTA that is culturally sensitive. We use client-centered approaches as it is LifeCycles top priority to empower you for you! We understand that everyone has their own battles. We are a team of psychotherapists, who specialize in various areas and offer treatment using evidence-based approaches. You can read each of the therapist’s bio on our website lifecyclecounselling.ca
Accepting New Clients - No Waitlist! When you feel stuck, we can help. At LifeCycle Counselling we recognize how difficult it is to take the first step towards therapy, speak about your difficulties and explore uncomfortable emotions. We are a BIPOC clinic in the GTA that is culturally sensitive. We use client-centered approaches as it is LifeCycles top priority to empower you for you! We understand that everyone has their own battles. We are a team of psychotherapists, who specialize in various areas and offer treatment using evidence-based approaches. You can read each of the therapist’s bio on our website lifecyclecounselling.ca
Kelly A McLarnon-Sinclair
Registered Psychotherapist, RP, RMFT
Verified Verified
Kitchener, ON N2H
Not accepting new clients
Welcome adults, children and youth...and the relationships between..to address stress, anxiety, depression, family/life transition, grief, and inner and relational conflicts stemming from unresolved hurt, trauma and loss. I also welcome clients with diagnoses that affect social and academic learning and development, as well as parents looking for related consultation. It's my privilege to work with you to heal emotional, relational and physical suffering and help catalyze the unfolding of your strength and potential toward greater inner peace, confidence and the achievement of important life goals.
Welcome adults, children and youth...and the relationships between..to address stress, anxiety, depression, family/life transition, grief, and inner and relational conflicts stemming from unresolved hurt, trauma and loss. I also welcome clients with diagnoses that affect social and academic learning and development, as well as parents looking for related consultation. It's my privilege to work with you to heal emotional, relational and physical suffering and help catalyze the unfolding of your strength and potential toward greater inner peace, confidence and the achievement of important life goals.
See more therapy options for N2H
Play Therapy Counsellors
Who is play therapy for?
Play therapy is generally targeted to children between the ages of 3 and 11 who have social, emotional, or behavioural difficulties. Play therapy has also been found helpful for children who have experienced physical or emotional abuse or witnessed atrocities. Play therapy is also often recommended for children who are undergoing major medical procedures or who are suffering from chronic illness; many children’s hospitals are equipped to offer play therapy on-site. Play therapy is also sometimes used for adults; creative writing, music, and art are expressive forms that can all be adapted for therapeutic purposes.
Why do people need play therapy?
Children often do not have the language skills or words to know or to express what is troubling them. Yet they often spontaneously draw or use playthings to depict scenarios that reflect problems in their everyday life. Play therapy provides children with an array of objects and play situations to act out their feelings or experiences so that therapists can get a clear picture of what children might be struggling with and help them find solutions. In addition, play therapists are skilled at helping children understand their inner experience and find words for them, necessary steps toward helping children learn to control their own behaviour and come up with solutions to problems they encounter.
What happens in play therapy?
A child enters a comfortable playroom where they are free to choose the objects they want to play with. The play therapist will typically observe how they play with the toys—whether a sandbox, puppets, dolls and action figures, trucks, costumes, drawing and painting materials, or more—because such play provides clues to a child’s family and social relationships, difficulties they are encountering in the world, and what going on inside themselves. Sometimes the therapist may ask the child to use the play objects to tell a story about their family. Using the same instruments of play, therapists can help children discover more advantageous ways of thinking and behaving.
What kinds of problems do play therapists treat?
Play therapy can help children who display destructive or self-destructive impulses; children who seem angry, sad, or fearful; children who experience frequent social, emotional, family, or school difficulty. Play therapy is often of value to children who have experienced a loss or distressing family experience, who are regularly exposed to family conflict, or who have been physically or emotionally abused. Play therapy can help children who are perpetrators of bullying as well as those who are targets of bullying. It helps children learn to identify their feelings, to express them in constructive ways, and to regulate them so they can get on with the business of development.
How long does play therapy last?
Play therapy sessions may last for 30 to 45 minutes, and they usually occur weekly for about 20 sessions. Each session is tailored to the individual child and the kinds of problems they are struggling with. Play that is highly repetitive often indicates a problem requiring further exploration. Therapists typically measure progress through session-to-session changes in play behaviour.