Play Therapists in San Diego

Play the the way in which children discover and process the world. Play is it’s own language and children are its native speakers. When a child is in crisis, they process their feelings and concerns through play, rather than verbally. Play therapy offers a mode of communication that honors children in the development level they are at.

What Is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach specifically tailored for children. Play therapy is characterized by the deliberate use of play as a medium for therapeutic interaction between therapist and child. Children are not easily able to express their thoughts, feelings, and problems verbally, rather they are more likely to express their fears, desires, and concerns through play.

In play therapy, trained therapists use play as a way to speak with the child to better understand what is going on in their world. Play therapists engage children in the process of play, aiming to strike a balance between symbolic play and verbal expression so that they may identify the challenges the child is facing and facilitate optimal development. This approach serves both as a method for intervention and as a diagnostic tool in understanding children’s emotional and psychological well-being.

How Do We Use Play Therapy To Help At Clayton Counseling?

At Clayton Counseling Inc. in San Diego, our trained therapists use play therapy to get to know your child, understand them, and identify their fears, concerns, and thoughts. Play therapy can be used to address a variety of psychosocial difficulties and emotional issues children may be facing, including:

  • Emotional Challenges: helping children to express and cope with feelings of anger, sadness, anxiety, confusion, etc.
  • Behavioral Problems: helping children address issues such as aggression, withdrawal, hyperactivity, and defiance by providing alternate modes of expression and ways to manage emotions.
  • Trauma and Abuse: cultivating a safe space for children to process traumatic life experiences such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, or witnessing violence.
  • Family Changes: helping children navigate significant life changes like divorce, relocation, a new sibling, or the loss of a loved one.
  • Social Difficulties: helping children to improve social skills, relationships with peers, and communication, thus building the confidence to form healthy connections with others.
  • Developmental Challenges: supporting children with developmental delays, learning disabilities, and other special needs by promoting cognitive, emotional, and behavioral development through play.
  • Attachment Issues: helping to enhance the bond between children and their caregivers, fostering feelings of trust, security, and connection.

Play Therapy At Clayton Counseling

Kristen Clayton is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who founded Clayton Counseling. She has spent more than a decade working in the mental health field with children, teens, families, and adults. She aims to assist her clients in gaining a deeper understanding of themselves through fostering safe spaces for them to feel their feelings and heal.

Clayton Counseling has a team of amazing providers who offer a variety of therapeutic services. Several of our providers are certified in play therapy, they are:

  • Maaedeh Soltani, AMFT
  • Sarah Reyes, LCSW
  • Reannan Last, ASW
  • Kristen Clayton, LCSW

To get started today call (858) 224-2579 or e-mail admin@claytoncounselinginc.com, we offer free consultations.

Some additional resources of play therapy we feel you may find helpful: