At Compass Community Counseling, we are committed to helping children and their families navigate difficult situations and achieve their fullest potential. We use both traditional talk therapy and play therapy interventions to assist the child in working through big emotions and challenging behaviors.

  • According to the Association for Play Therapy, play therapy is “the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development.

    • Encourages communication and socialization

    • Builds trust and mastery

    • Fosters learning, creativity, and problem-solving

    • Regulates emotions and stress

    • Facilitates self-esteem and Elevates spirit

  • The therapist will seek to support, understand, and connect with your child. During sessions, the therapist will work to create an age-appropriate, safe, and engaging environment to facilitate the client’s communication, learning, and creativity. Through techniques, collaborative games, puppets, lego play, books, and sand tray techniques, the child/adolescent will learn new ways to express large emotions, work to change problematic behaviors, cultivate emotional/behavior regulation, and develop positive self-esteem. Additionally, play may be used to provide a cognitive distraction to support the child who is attempting to communicate and process traumatic events.

  • While play therapy is more noted for working with children and adolescents, individuals of all ages (EVEN ADULTS) may benefit from play therapy and play therapy interventions. Yes, everyone needs to play! In addition to benefiting the child/adolescent client, play therapy also benefits parents and caregivers. 

    A key component of play therapy is parental and caregiver involvement. Parenting a child during challenging times may be stressful and overwhelming; however, the parent/caregiver is critical to the client’s support and progress. Therefore, the therapist will work closely with the parents and caregivers to provide support, encouragement, and collaboration to achieve optimal therapeutic success for the client.

  • Play therapy is an evidence-based psychotherapeutic approach to cultivating growth, change, and wellness. Research has proven that it is effective in promoting positive self-concept, social skills, and emotional and behavioral adjustments. Furthermore, neuroscience research has proven play therapy is effective in creating new neural pathways in the brain and engages all parts of the brain.ext goes here

  • To learn more about play therapy, please visit https://www.a4pt.org/page/AboutAPT

Have more questions? 

Contact:  Jennifer Payne MA - Counseling Resident, Play Therapist in training

Jennifer can be reached at (618) 417-7132 or email jpayne@compasscc.org.