Because children naturally resolve problems through play, play therapy involves observation and participation with your child as he or she engages in non-directive therapeutic play.  You child will work through their problems and develop healthy coping skills through this process.

Children may experience divorce of their parents, abuse, death of a loved one, trouble making friends, problems adjusting to school, changes in the home or various other of life's possible difficulties.  But, because of their age, they may not yet possess the coping skills or emotional expression needed to adjust to these issues in healthy ways.  As a result, this leads to emotional and behavioral problems can develop, disrupting the life of the child and family.

Play therapy is a technique that utilizes a child's natural means of expression:  play.  It enables a child to manipulate the world on a smaller scale, which is something they're unable to do in their everyday lives.  Toys represent their environment and play is their communication.  I assist children and react in a selective manner, enabling them to play out their feelings and bring hidden emotions to the surface to help them cope more effectively.  These therapeutic techniques equip children with positive coping skills and promotes the identification and expression of feelings in healthy ways.  The skills they learn in play therapy stay with them and grow as they grow.

"My son made amazing changes from the very first session.  He really opened up with me and I didn't realize he had so much anger inside.  Our relationship is improving everyday and he is doing better at school!"


"I can't believe the changes I have seen in my daughter! She was extremely shy and now has friends and walks around the house talking about confidence and how she is a confident girl!"


"We didn't know that our marital problems were the source of our son's bad behavior at school.  Elissa assisted us in reconnecting with our son and communicating more openly in the home.  She taught us that all behavior has meaning and helped our son to communicate what was bothering him rather than acting out.  Our marriage has improved and so has my son's behavior!"


"My kids went through a divorce last year and were having a hard time adjusting.  They have learned skills that help them to cope and now 'take a moment' when they are angry.  They even started pointing out to me behaviors that I needed to change!  Elissa really supported me and gave me new skills that I desperately needed as I embarked upon my journey as a single parent."