Play Therapy in T2E
Kyla Jepson
Registered Provisional Psychologist, BA, MEd
Verified Verified
Calgary, AB T2E
She utilizes a strength-based and person-centred approach through cognitive-behavioural interventions and play-based therapy.
From a young age, Kyla knew she wanted to work with children and families. Her journey started when she coached gymnastics and worked as a developmental aide for various age groups in community and school settings. She then transitioned to in-home services, working with children and adolescents of diverse needs, helping families learn strategies to support their everyday lives. Kyla worked as a behavioural interventionist/behaviour consultant before registering as a Provisional Psychologist. She has over ten years of experience working with children and adolescents in various settings.
She utilizes a strength-based and person-centred approach through cognitive-behavioural interventions and play-based therapy.
From a young age, Kyla knew she wanted to work with children and families. Her journey started when she coached gymnastics and worked as a developmental aide for various age groups in community and school settings. She then transitioned to in-home services, working with children and adolescents of diverse needs, helping families learn strategies to support their everyday lives. Kyla worked as a behavioural interventionist/behaviour consultant before registering as a Provisional Psychologist. She has over ten years of experience working with children and adolescents in various settings.
Kathleen Boothman
Psychologist, Bsc, MC
Verified Verified
Calgary, AB T2E
Kathleen utilizes a strength-based and person-centred perspective while incorporating cognitive-behavioural interventions and play-based therapy.
Kathleen works with children, adolescents, and parents (ages 3 and up) with various complex behavioural and emotional needs. She began her career as an early intervention therapist, child and youth care counsellor, and behavioural consultant before registering as a provisional psychologist in March 2021. She has over ten years of experience working with children and adolescents in community, school, public, and private settings. Kathleen uses this diverse experience to support, assess, and diagnose those with many behavioural, developmental and mental health disorders, including ADHD, ASD, depression, anxiety, and OCD.
Kathleen utilizes a strength-based and person-centred perspective while incorporating cognitive-behavioural interventions and play-based therapy.
Kathleen works with children, adolescents, and parents (ages 3 and up) with various complex behavioural and emotional needs. She began her career as an early intervention therapist, child and youth care counsellor, and behavioural consultant before registering as a provisional psychologist in March 2021. She has over ten years of experience working with children and adolescents in community, school, public, and private settings. Kathleen uses this diverse experience to support, assess, and diagnose those with many behavioural, developmental and mental health disorders, including ADHD, ASD, depression, anxiety, and OCD.
Celeste Rodrigues-Forbes
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, RSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Calgary, AB T2E
My approach is informed by a trauma informed lens, play therapy interventions, body based integration, systems theory, attachment theory, social learning theory and Gottman method couples therapy.
I am an open and caring individual, focused on partnering with my clients to help them make the changes they want in their lives. With nearly a decade of experience working with various high risk populations, I am able to quickly build relationships and create an environment of safety and stability. From these trusting therapeutic relationships, I work with my clients to address what is holding them back and set a course for where they want their future to go.
My approach is informed by a trauma informed lens, play therapy interventions, body based integration, systems theory, attachment theory, social learning theory and Gottman method couples therapy.
I am an open and caring individual, focused on partnering with my clients to help them make the changes they want in their lives. With nearly a decade of experience working with various high risk populations, I am able to quickly build relationships and create an environment of safety and stability. From these trusting therapeutic relationships, I work with my clients to address what is holding them back and set a course for where they want their future to go.
Illisha Patterson Psychological Services
RPsych, MAPsych
Verified Verified
5 Endorsed
Calgary, AB T2E
I have specialized training in CBT, EMDR, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Trauma Focused Therapy and Play Therapy.
As a psychologist I often hear "no one can help because no one understands!". Sometimes people feel overwhelmed and alone in the pain, fear and uncertainty. When chaos and crises are your daily reality, how do you manage? When you keep thinking about the horrible things that did or could happen, how do you stop? When you don't want to get up in the morning, how do you face the day? Honestly, I don't have all the answers but I have personally seen people find joy despite ongoing sorrow and I have seen tears and smiles coexist. I believe that with the right support, all people can explore how to find a sense of calm within the storm.
I have specialized training in CBT, EMDR, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, Trauma Focused Therapy and Play Therapy.
As a psychologist I often hear "no one can help because no one understands!". Sometimes people feel overwhelmed and alone in the pain, fear and uncertainty. When chaos and crises are your daily reality, how do you manage? When you keep thinking about the horrible things that did or could happen, how do you stop? When you don't want to get up in the morning, how do you face the day? Honestly, I don't have all the answers but I have personally seen people find joy despite ongoing sorrow and I have seen tears and smiles coexist. I believe that with the right support, all people can explore how to find a sense of calm within the storm.
Sarah Jl McEvoy
Psychologist, Bsc, MEd, RPsych, TPP
Verified Verified
Calgary, AB T2E
I am also a therapeutic play practitioner and a trauma specialist.
I specialize in children's psychoeducational assessments for giftedness (Westmount, GATE), ADHD, learning disabilities, and social/emotional/behavioural concerns. Therapeutic play to support issues such as low self-esteem, assertiveness, specific skill development, anxiety/depression, coping skills, social skills, ADHD symptomology, ASD, phobias, bullying, trauma, divorce, grief and aggression (3-14yrs). I use an integrative approach, drawing from various play modalities depending on the child and presenting issue. Parenting strategies provided. NIHB provider- Registered first nations receive 22 sessions per year
I am also a therapeutic play practitioner and a trauma specialist.
I specialize in children's psychoeducational assessments for giftedness (Westmount, GATE), ADHD, learning disabilities, and social/emotional/behavioural concerns. Therapeutic play to support issues such as low self-esteem, assertiveness, specific skill development, anxiety/depression, coping skills, social skills, ADHD symptomology, ASD, phobias, bullying, trauma, divorce, grief and aggression (3-14yrs). I use an integrative approach, drawing from various play modalities depending on the child and presenting issue. Parenting strategies provided. NIHB provider- Registered first nations receive 22 sessions per year
Dee Dee Kay
Psychologist, MC, RPsych, CEMDR
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Calgary, AB T2E
"Isn't it time that you started living verses just existing. I believe that every individual has the strength to work towards a happy, healthy and balanced life. I know that no one just 'gets over' things but they can be assisted to work through their struggles and traumas. I pride myself on the therapeutic alliance and personal empowerment of individuals through respect, communication, and the acknowledgment that each individual is the author of their own lives. I work with children, teens, individuals and couples."
"Isn't it time that you started living verses just existing. I believe that every individual has the strength to work towards a happy, healthy and balanced life. I know that no one just 'gets over' things but they can be assisted to work through their struggles and traumas. I pride myself on the therapeutic alliance and personal empowerment of individuals through respect, communication, and the acknowledgment that each individual is the author of their own lives. I work with children, teens, individuals and couples."
Jeremy Luk
Psychologist, RPsych, MEd
Verified Verified
Calgary, AB T2E
Hey there! My name is Jeremy and I'm glad you're looking into some mental health supports. Whether it is for yourself or for someone you know, looking into different therapy options can be overwhelming with all the options out there, so it can be helpful to have a general idea of what some of your counselling goals might be and go from there. Phone consultations are a great way to see if you might be a good fit with each other as well. I believe in everyone's ability to create changes for themselves and haven't met a client I haven't learned from yet!
Hey there! My name is Jeremy and I'm glad you're looking into some mental health supports. Whether it is for yourself or for someone you know, looking into different therapy options can be overwhelming with all the options out there, so it can be helpful to have a general idea of what some of your counselling goals might be and go from there. Phone consultations are a great way to see if you might be a good fit with each other as well. I believe in everyone's ability to create changes for themselves and haven't met a client I haven't learned from yet!
Agnieszka Witkowska
Psychologist, RPsych, MC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Calgary, AB T2E
I am a Registered Psychologist with over 15 years of experience in counselling. I specialize in clinical psychology. I work with individuals: adults and adolescents, and with couples. I can help you to feel better, to increase your self-esteem and to heal from past experiences. If you experienced trauma, abuse, if you have been struggling with depression, anxiety for a long time call me to schedule an appointment. I will help you to experience well-being, to learn and implement new skills and to see your life differently. I offer different approaches to therapy such as: ACT, CBT-Mindfilness, Psychodynamic, Gottman, Emotion-Focused.
I am a Registered Psychologist with over 15 years of experience in counselling. I specialize in clinical psychology. I work with individuals: adults and adolescents, and with couples. I can help you to feel better, to increase your self-esteem and to heal from past experiences. If you experienced trauma, abuse, if you have been struggling with depression, anxiety for a long time call me to schedule an appointment. I will help you to experience well-being, to learn and implement new skills and to see your life differently. I offer different approaches to therapy such as: ACT, CBT-Mindfilness, Psychodynamic, Gottman, Emotion-Focused.
Core Psychology
Psychologist
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Calgary, AB T2E
Are you craving a life you don't need a vacation from? We don't exist in isolation. Daily, we navigate relationships, careers, finances, parenting an anxious child or a struggling teen, aging, significant life transitions, celebrations, successes, and sometimes huge losses. You may have lost a job, partner, loved one, or the ability to function in ways you used to function so easily. You are used to recovering quickly or knowing how to best provide support, and yet find yourself at a loss, anxious, overwhelmed or discouraged. It's all part of being human. Though sometimes it feels like more than we can take.
Are you craving a life you don't need a vacation from? We don't exist in isolation. Daily, we navigate relationships, careers, finances, parenting an anxious child or a struggling teen, aging, significant life transitions, celebrations, successes, and sometimes huge losses. You may have lost a job, partner, loved one, or the ability to function in ways you used to function so easily. You are used to recovering quickly or knowing how to best provide support, and yet find yourself at a loss, anxious, overwhelmed or discouraged. It's all part of being human. Though sometimes it feels like more than we can take.
Diana Izard
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, RSW
Verified Verified
5 Endorsed
Calgary, AB T2E
You find it hard to express yourself clearly to loved ones when emotions are charged. Maybe you are struggling to make sense of who you are as a person, a parent or a partner, and the decisions you make just don't feel like you anymore. Getting in touch with your feelings can be stressful but it doesn't have to be that way. You don't have to be alone with self-doubt, anger, fear or shame anymore. Therapy can help you improve your relationships and feel more like yourself again while you gain the insight and clarity you are looking for.
You find it hard to express yourself clearly to loved ones when emotions are charged. Maybe you are struggling to make sense of who you are as a person, a parent or a partner, and the decisions you make just don't feel like you anymore. Getting in touch with your feelings can be stressful but it doesn't have to be that way. You don't have to be alone with self-doubt, anger, fear or shame anymore. Therapy can help you improve your relationships and feel more like yourself again while you gain the insight and clarity you are looking for.
Calgary Institute of Counselling
Psychologist, BA, MA , RPsych
Verified Verified
Calgary, AB T2E
Are you wanting to feel happier in life? Are you wanting more satisfaction and connection in your relationship? Is your child struggling and you are worried about how to help them feel better? This is the place for you. The Calgary Institute of Counselling is an agency that is committed to ensuring exceptional care for all clients. Specialized training happens with all counsellors at the agency to ensure a high level of quality care.
Are you wanting to feel happier in life? Are you wanting more satisfaction and connection in your relationship? Is your child struggling and you are worried about how to help them feel better? This is the place for you. The Calgary Institute of Counselling is an agency that is committed to ensuring exceptional care for all clients. Specialized training happens with all counsellors at the agency to ensure a high level of quality care.
See more therapy options for T2E
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.