Photo of Nancy Stone, Licensed Professional Counselor in 18103, PA
Nancy Stone
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Allentown, PA 18103
When treating children, I utilize play to engage the child and make therapy a positive experience.
Your mental health is important, and gathering the courage to get help is not an easy task. The notion of verbalizing your inner thoughts and feelings might seem intimidating, and make you feel vulnerable. Taking this into consideration, I strive to create a safe and calming space where you can feel understood and not judged. Through the process of therapy, you can better understand the patterns in your life, overcome barriers, and experience new ways of coping. You will gain a better understanding of your behaviors and communication styles that hinder you from achieving your goals.
When treating children, I utilize play to engage the child and make therapy a positive experience.
Your mental health is important, and gathering the courage to get help is not an easy task. The notion of verbalizing your inner thoughts and feelings might seem intimidating, and make you feel vulnerable. Taking this into consideration, I strive to create a safe and calming space where you can feel understood and not judged. Through the process of therapy, you can better understand the patterns in your life, overcome barriers, and experience new ways of coping. You will gain a better understanding of your behaviors and communication styles that hinder you from achieving your goals.
(484) 290-1772 View (484) 290-1772
Photo of Marisa Lawrence, Licensed Professional Counselor in 18103, PA
Marisa Lawrence
Licensed Professional Counselor, ATR-BC, LPC
Verified Verified
Allentown, PA 18103
My clinical background, training and experiences support a variety of therapeutic techniques, such as art, play and traditional therapy, depending on one's personal goals for treatment.
My practice combines compassion and creativity to connect with individuals and families. It is through this connection that I will guide one through life's challenges and assist individuals and families in discovering and focusing on one's strengths and potential for growth. My own experiences, as a parent of a special needs child, have enriched my work as a therapist and helped me gain a richer understanding of the importance of a strong support system. Therefore, I strongly believe in working hard to help individuals and families feel supported during the various joys and adversities of life.
My clinical background, training and experiences support a variety of therapeutic techniques, such as art, play and traditional therapy, depending on one's personal goals for treatment.
My practice combines compassion and creativity to connect with individuals and families. It is through this connection that I will guide one through life's challenges and assist individuals and families in discovering and focusing on one's strengths and potential for growth. My own experiences, as a parent of a special needs child, have enriched my work as a therapist and helped me gain a richer understanding of the importance of a strong support system. Therefore, I strongly believe in working hard to help individuals and families feel supported during the various joys and adversities of life.
(484) 447-3005 View (484) 447-3005
Photo of Stacy L Gilligan, Licensed Professional Counselor in 18103, PA
Stacy L Gilligan
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, MS, LPC
Verified Verified
Allentown, PA 18103
Waitlist for new clients
If you have a child who is struggling with behavioral issues and you just can't understand what is going on, come see me. I see children as young as 3 years old. Using play as their voice I will help your child with those issues by teaching coping skills and gently guiding them to think before acting. At times I will provide you with tools to use at home so your child has consistent support. I have experience working with children on the spectrum, ADHD, ADD, ODD, Conduct Disorder, and DMDD. I also have experience working with both children and adults with anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and trauma.
If you have a child who is struggling with behavioral issues and you just can't understand what is going on, come see me. I see children as young as 3 years old. Using play as their voice I will help your child with those issues by teaching coping skills and gently guiding them to think before acting. At times I will provide you with tools to use at home so your child has consistent support. I have experience working with children on the spectrum, ADHD, ADD, ODD, Conduct Disorder, and DMDD. I also have experience working with both children and adults with anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and trauma.
(610) 546-2614 View (610) 546-2614
Photo of Dru Bleem Counseling, Licensed Professional Counselor in 18103, PA
Dru Bleem Counseling
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC
Verified Verified
Allentown, PA 18103
Now Accepting Highmark Insurance. Welcome! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with ten years of experience in the counseling field. I'm glad you're here and ready to begin the process of healing your mind. I have been in your shoes and know that it can feel like a frightening step to take. However, I hope that you find my laid back and empathetic nature to be calming and healing for your journey. I currently provide in person, virtual, and school based services. Please contact me by email to get started on your healing journey.
Now Accepting Highmark Insurance. Welcome! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with ten years of experience in the counseling field. I'm glad you're here and ready to begin the process of healing your mind. I have been in your shoes and know that it can feel like a frightening step to take. However, I hope that you find my laid back and empathetic nature to be calming and healing for your journey. I currently provide in person, virtual, and school based services. Please contact me by email to get started on your healing journey.
(814) 398-7513 View (814) 398-7513
Photo of Ashley L. Baldwin, Licensed Professional Counselor in 18103, PA
Ashley L. Baldwin
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, NCC
Verified Verified
Allentown, PA 18103
As warm and compassionate therapists, we are committed to understanding your needs, life experiences, and strengths that have shaped you into the unique person you are today. We have expertise working with individuals of all ages in a variety of clinical settings. Collaboratively, we will develop healthy coping strategies that will allow you to effectively manage your life stressors and process your past that have left you feeling stuck, so you can move forward with intention & purpose.
As warm and compassionate therapists, we are committed to understanding your needs, life experiences, and strengths that have shaped you into the unique person you are today. We have expertise working with individuals of all ages in a variety of clinical settings. Collaboratively, we will develop healthy coping strategies that will allow you to effectively manage your life stressors and process your past that have left you feeling stuck, so you can move forward with intention & purpose.
(610) 756-0437 View (610) 756-0437
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.