Play is the natural language of children and toys are the words that they use to express what is happening in their world. Children do not have a fully-developed verbal capacity until the age of 11 or 12, so traditional talk therapy is not effective. Also, traumatic experiences can get stuck in the limbic or emotional part of the brain. Children are not able to bring these memories up to the thinking where they can be discussed and reasoned through. Play therapy is a developmentally appropriate way to work with children who do not not have this verbal capacity. 

Items such as a sand tray, puppets, a dollhouse, art, and musical instruments enable them to “tell” their story and work through those things that are keeping them stuck. Together we travel to those difficult places.  Out of this work, the student gains understanding, the ability to regulate, and is able to make new choices.  They practice new behaviors and experience positive changes that are reflected at school and supported in the classroom. These students arrive at a place where they can learn, blossom, and contribute their unique gifts to the school.