Play Therapy in Brooklyn, NY
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Mary Borys
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, MAT
Verified
Verified
Treatment is built on collaborative goals and tailored from different developmentally appropriate evidence based techniques, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), narrative therapy as well as both
play
and art therapy.
Kids are under enormous pressure at home, in school and with peers. These pressures can present themselves in many ways -- as childhood anxiety, adolescent depression, or school behavioral problems. My focus is on making your child feel heard, while providing them with a tool belt of coping mechanisms that can be accessed whenever they are feeling overwhelmed. Your child will build self-esteem along with practical emotional awareness and regulation skills that can be incorporated into their daily lives.
Gina Schütz
MA, CAT-LP
Verified
Verified
I combine art making, talk therapy,
play
, and humor to create an inclusive and comfortable space for self exploration.
I provide a person-centered approach incorporating past experiences, beliefs, and goals. I use a holistic and intuitive framework, offering a safe space for clients to use introspection and to express themselves without fear of judgment. I have three years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and groups to help cope with a variety of issues, such as; depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, life transitions, low self-esteem and group dynamics. As an art therapist, I have witnessed how clients make meaningful connections through art making when words failed to express their feelings and experiences.
Not accepting new clients
Alixandra Blackman
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified
10 Endorsed
Verified
10 Endorsed
For children who aren't yet able to articulate their experience, I work symbolically through
play
and skills based support.
Life can be painful and complicated at times, and so often we react instead of respond to stress. Whether you are an adult, teen, or child, emotions can be complex to navigate and difficult to manage alone. My goal is to support you through difficult moments, help you build awareness and understanding for your behaviors and feelings, gain clarity in confusing times, better understand your relationships, and ultimately help you see life in clearer terms. As a collaborator on this journey, I aim to provide a nurturing and safe environment so that you may explore your internal nature and grow in all the ways you desire.
Ander Camino
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, MA, LMHC
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I completed College/MA education in 2004, specializing in Child/Adolescent psychology with training in psychotherapy, family/systemic and
play therapy
.
I am a bilingual-Spanish licensed mental health counselor with +10 years of experience working with individuals, families and couples. I understand healing as a collaborative process where multiple factors intervene, and my approach focuses on giving the individual the tools and agency to overcome whatever challenges might find on the way to healing. Issues ranging from depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, to relationship conflict, motivational issues, family conflict, anger management, and school or career issues. Insight and mindfulness are key components of my approach.
Judy N Schneier
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
My office is set up to allow children to
play
actively (check office photo on website).
I am a child and adolescent therapist who works with young people and their families in a developmentally sensitive manner. Through careful listening and collaborative parent work, we create the possibility for change. Younger children use
play
as their most authentic means of communication. Talking directly about worries can be overwhelming.
Play
becomes a rich way for me to communicate with your child. Older children often communicate directly about their concerns, but will
play
while we talk.
Play
gives them a feeling of control and familiarity when addressing difficult issues.
Mary A Castillejos
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, MSEd
Verified
Verified
I provide talk therapy for adults, Child-Parent Psychotherapy,
play therapy
& parent consultation.
I work with individual adults, parents and children, and families. Clients see me to alleviate anxiety and manage stress, support their child's behavior and growth, and address issues in the parent/child relationship. Parenting a young child can bring great delight and satisfaction, and also present isolation, bewilderment and depression. I have additional expertise and training in infant and early childhood mental health. I help parents & children increase joy in their connection, reduce challenging behavior, get more sleep, navigate power struggles, & find healing after a traumatic experience.
Zan Jacobus Insight Psychotherapy
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MA, LCSW
Verified
Verified
In addition to working with adults, I specialize in
play therapy
with children and the treatment of adolescents.
It is a privilege to be a therapist because patients entrust you with closely held and often pained parts of themselves, along with parts of themselves they are excited about and proud of. I see our work as the creation of a place where these different parts of the patient's self can come into the room and be acknowledged and recognized. Therapy is also a place where you, as the patient, can use my listening ear to help you withstand pain and anxiety. Please see my website: zanjacobusinsightpsychotherapy.com
Geri Leah Ness
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
Verified
As a certified Child and Adolescent therapist, I have specialized training and years of experience in helping children overcome academic, behavioral and social problems and have been very effective utilizing creative
play
and talk therapy to help them get back on track to a healthy and normal development.
I bring over 25 years of experience to my work as a psychotherapist. Working with children, teens and adults has enabled me to develop a unique perspective on how the difficulties of childhood impact people all through their lives. I have a rich background to draw upon with each new patient I meet. If you are struggling with family, work or relationship issues or the symptoms of anxiety or depression, we will work to get at the root of the problems and solve them together.
Ally Sheinbaum
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
I am an LMSW providing both individual and family therapy. I work primarily with preschool-aged and school aged children, teens, and families. I utilize
play
and art in my sessions, but I also help my clients to develop and practice new skills where appropriate. I enjoy helping families to strengthen relationships, and I practice from an attachment perspective.
Play
is a child's natural way of communicating, which makes it a perfect fit for many children in therapy! I often work with older children, teens, and adults as well, and tailor my therapeutic approach to the needs of each person and family I work with.
Dina Larina
Counselor, MA, LMHC, RPT
Verified
2 Endorsed
Verified
2 Endorsed
I draw on cognitive-behavioral, solution-focused, brief therapy, and non-verbal approaches, including
play therapy
.
As a parent of a struggling child or teen, do you often find yourself wondering what you can do to help them feel better? Do they wrestle with daily stressors (school and homework pressure, family/peer issues, self-image, COVID-19 fears) and emotional issues ? Parents often feel that they have run out of ideas of how to help. They just want their child to thrive. I have helped children and teens that were struggling with anxiety disorders, self-regulation, low self-esteem, body image concerns, and anger issues. I work with parents to help them develop strategies to help their children as their needs change over the years.
Ella Laniado
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW, LSW
Verified
Verified
I utilize an integrative approach to best serve your needs drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Exposure and Response Prevention and
play therapy
modalities.
Finding a therapist can be overwhelming and intimidating. I recognize the importance of building a safe and trusting relationship with you to best support you and your needs. My approach is highlighted by my warmth, creativity, and humor, which informs my ability to build rapport and strengthen our therapeutic relationship. I have extensive experience working with children, adolescents, young adults and their families in inpatient, outpatient and school settings. I believe in utilizing a collaborative approach, drawing from your experiences and insights to support growth and healing.
Kathren Klein
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-R
Verified
Verified
I am trained in psychodynamic, psychoanalytic and cognitive behavioral theories (CBT) and have extensive training in child centered
play therapy
, parent/child relational/attachment theories, trauma, addictions, depression, anxiety, domestic violence and bereavement.
I believe the potential for healing exists within everyone and that individuals hold the answers to the changes they are seeking. Our work together will focus on creating a safe and supportive environment whereby you can gain insight and understanding into the areas that are troubling you and develop the tools needed to affect change. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 20 years of experience I have worked successfully with children, families and adults facing issues such as depression, anxiety, loss and trauma.
Ashley Renee Williams
Clinical Social Work/Therapist
Verified
Verified
I use a variety of modalities such as person-centered, CBT, DBT,
play therapy
, music therapy, and more.
What inspired me to be a therapist was navigating my own mental health struggles in a family that didn’t believe in such a thing. I knew how isolated I felt and from that point forward, I made it my life mission to ensure no one else would have to go through what I did. If you’re looking for a therapist with first hand experience in what you’re dealing with, I’m your girl.As a social worker, I am well-versed in the complexity of an individual’s life. What you’re facing isn’t an inherent trait, but rather a result of circumstance.
Susan Caputo
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-R
Verified
Verified
I work with children, adolescents, and adults and provide
play
, individual, parenting, couples, family and group therapy. I am psychodynamically trained, but use an eclectic approach to address each client's needs. I am trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy to work with traumatized or depressed children and adolescents. I provide EMDR therapy for clients struggling with PTSD, trauma, and attachment issues. I strongly believe in a mind-body connection, and help my clients strengthen their emotional well-being. I believe that clients who feel empowered, learn coping skills, and gain insight will achieve physical and emotional strength and wellness.
Laura Applegate, LCSW
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
3 Endorsed
Verified
3 Endorsed
My diverse training and experience includes a variety of short and long-term treatment modalities such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), Functional Family Therapy (FFT),
play therapy
with children, psychodynamic and humanistic techniques.
My clients are children, adolescents, adults and parents experiencing life stressors, struggling with relationships, striving for personal growth or seeking change. My work commonly addresses symptoms such as anxiety, depression or general difficulty functioning in one or more areas. I use an eclectic and collaborative style to best serve each client. My highly individualized and integrative approach draws from a variety of techniques depending on specific therapeutic goals and needs. When working with children and adolescents, I find it is important and most effective if I collaborate closely with their parents to support the family system and promote optimal outcomes.
Meredith Casimiro
Creative Arts Therapist, MS, LCAT, BC-DMT
Verified
Verified
I enjoy using
play
and other creative modalities, while promoting healing and navigating through life’s challenges.
Do you often find yourself feeling alone, isolated and conflicted as to why you are feeling so much internal pain and overwhelm? Together, in therapy, I want to support you in investigating your challenges. I might be the expert of therapy but I know you are the expert of you. I want to follow your lead during our sessions and help to guide you to more integration, increased self-awareness and stronger self-insight.
Marjorie Bresnick, LCSW
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Grief and trauma in children or adults can result in strong feelings that disrupt daily life and one's experience of safety. Similarly anxiety and depression may deprive one of the ability to live life with a sense of agency, flexibility, and pleasure. In therapy, I seek to engage you in an ongoing dialogue to discover who you are, what shaped you, and what continues to influence you. Our relationship serves as a vehicle for you to discover your narrative and live a more satisfying life with fulfilling relationships,
play
, and purpose.
Amanda Lee Gropp
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW-R
Verified
Verified
I am a therapist specializing in work with children, adolescents and families. I offer child-oriented
play therapy
, individual therapy and parent consultations to help children and youth work through a variety of issues such as life transitions, anxiety, loss and behavioral problems.
Neil S Weintraub
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
1 Endorsed
Verified
1 Endorsed
Young people today experience more stress than ever before. I work with children and adolescents to help them develop an age appropriate understanding of their challenges and utilize their strengths to make a plan. By using an eclectic approach of
play
, psychotherapy and cognitive therapy, my goal is to provide the young person and their family with short term relief and long term solutions. Active listening techniques help children and adolescents feel safe and comfortable to begin talking about issues critical to their lives.
Waitlist for new clients
Megan Lothian
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified
4 Endorsed
Verified
4 Endorsed
With my child/adolescent clients, I also integrate
play
& art-based therapy.
At any age and stage in life, I believe there is value in a curious and non-judgmental exploration of our feelings, thoughts, actions, and relational patterns, in the presence of another person. This work increases empathy for oneself and others, and strengthens capacity for making meaningful change, and coping with challenges that arise throughout life. I prioritize understanding the entirety of a person and their environment, and providing the space to explore sociocultural systems that influence identity & life experiences, inextricably connected to a persons emotional and relational world.
Brooklyn, NY 11211
& Online
Waitlist for new clients
See more therapy options for
Play Therapy
Who is play therapy for?
Play therapy is generally targeted to children between the ages of 3 and 11 who have social, emotional, or behavioral 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 behavior 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 behavior.