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# Child-Centered Child Play Therapy
## Nurturing Emotional Growth Through Play
At Start My Wellness, we understand the unique ways children express themselves, especially children who cannot communicate their feelings or needs directly.
Child-centered play therapy is a powerful approach that allows children to explore emotions, build confidence, and develop healthy coping strategies–all while engaging in activities they enjoy.
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     EXCELLENT     Based on 88 reviews                        David Sims  2023-10-11    I received an affordable, thorough psychological assessment by Dr. Bloom. He was very helpful, knowledgeable and insightful. I very much appreciate the service he offers because full neuropsychological testing is expensive and nearly unobtainable for people with certain types of insurance. I paid out of pocket and it was worth every cent.              Curtis Jemison  2023-08-19    It's not normal for me to  write reviews.  The service that I received from the staff at Start my wellness, was absolutely amazing!  The response and help from Rayven at the front desk was extremely helpful.  She was able to walk through the process without making me feel rushed or pressured.  She was knowledgable of the everything I need to be seen in a timely and professional manner.  The treatment team was caring and warm.  I didn't feel like "Just another patient", or embarrassed about my conditions.  Thank you all for helping me.              Sabreen Nafsu  2023-07-30    I love talking with Laila. I feel really comfortable and she seems genuinely kind. I look forward to my appointments with my psychiatrist now thanks to her, which is something I never thought I would say.              Chelsey Steele  2023-07-12    I love this place. I look forward to coming here! Everyone is helpful around the office and my particular person help me stay sane every week!              Irene Roberts  2023-07-11    Wonderful practice. Provide primarily virtual sessions which is preferred for me. Dr. Marashi is very knowledgable and helped me finally for the first time in my adult life nail down a combination of medications to help manage my PMDD and ADHD struggles. I could not have achieved everything I have in the past year without her support and knowledge. I recommend to everyone that struggles with their mental health.              Pearl Fonbuena  2023-07-11    They understand and listen. Couldn’t ask for a better place to go to!              Sean Gossard  2023-07-11    Lauren Anderson is the best!
## Child-Centered Play Therapy Goals
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### Improve Self-Esteem
### Learn New Coping Strategies
### Develop a More Positive Mindset
### Engage in Decision-Making
### Resolve Problematic Behaviors
### Assume More Responsibility
## Child-Centered Play Therapy at Start My Wellness
Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is a unique therapeutic approach designed for  who struggle to express emotions or experiences verbally. Harnessing the natural language of play, CCPT allows children to explore their feelings in a safe, supportive, and fun environment. Guided by a trained therapist, children use toys, games, and expressive activities to communicate their thoughts, process difficult emotions, and work through challenges at their own pace.
One of the ways CCPT is so unique is that it’s non-directive, meaning the therapist guides sessions, empathizes with the child, and provides unconditional positive support. This child-centered process allows children to express themselves in natural and comfortable ways. Further, this freedom fosters a sense of autonomy, which can build confidence, help them academically, and allow children to become more self-accepting.
## How Child Therapy Can Help
CCPT is most effective for children who have difficulty expressing their emotions through words alone. However, it can benefit all children as it facilitates the natural language of play and allows children to explore their interests, feelings, and challenges in a comfortable and engaging setting. Research supports the efficacy of child-centered play therapy in managing the following issues:
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#### Anxiety and Worry
#### Autism Spectrum Disorder
#### Depression
#### Behavioral Issues
#### Oppositional Defiant Disorder
#### Self-Esteem
#### Academic Performance
#### Early Trauma
#### Speech Difficulties
## Benefits of Child-Centered Play Therapy: Empowering Your Child Through Expression
### Promotes Emotional Expression
Play Therapy provides a natural way for children to express feelings they may not be able to communicate through words.
### Builds Problem-Solving Skills
Through facilitated play, children learn to make decisions, approach challenges constructively, and think independently.
### Enhances Self-Esteem
As children engage in play and constructively solve problems, they gain confidence in their abilities and improve their self-concept.
### Reduces Stress and Anxiety
As children work through challenges during play, they learn to better identify, understand, and express their feelings, allowing them to regulate their emotions and cope better with stress.
### Improves Academic Performance
CCPT indirectly improves academic performance by increasing confidence, social reciprocity at school, and problem-solving skills.
### Reduces Behavioral Issues
CCPT also indirectly reduces disruptive and externalizing behaviors at school and home by helping children learn to express their feelings constructively in these settings.
## Our Our Licensed Child Therapists
Anton Babushkin, PhD, LMSW
Therapist / CEO
### Specialties
#### Type of Therapy
Psychoanalytic / Psychodynamic Therapy
#### Patient Population
Adults, Families, Kids
#### Issue Focus
Academic / Career, Anxiety / Depression, Relationships
#### Insurance Accepted
Aetna, Blue Care Network, BCBS, Priority Health, Self Pay
#### Read Full Bio +
Karelyn Dippel, LLMSW
Therapist
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, Family Therapy
Adults, Families, Kids, Teens
Academic / Career, Grief and Loss, LGBTQIA+, PTSD / Trauma, Relationships
Aetna, BCBS, Priority Health, Self Pay
Elizabeth Kjar, M.ed, LLMSW
Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Psychoanalytic / Psychodynamic Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Related Empowerment Therapy
Academic / Career, ADHD, Anxiety / Depression, BIPOC, Grief and Loss, Life Transitions, Mood Disorders, Personal Empowerment, PTSD / Trauma, Relationships, Self-Esteem, Substance Abuse, Thought Disorders
Claudia Cacciato, LMSW, CAADC
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Humanistic Therapy, Psychoanalytic / Psychodynamic Therapy, Strength-Based Therapy
Adults, Families, Teens
Academic / Career, Anxiety / Depression, Codependency, Chronic Illness, Grief and Loss, LGBTQIA+, Life Transitions, Personal Empowerment, PTSD / Trauma, Relationships, Self-Esteem, Thought Disorders
## Make an Appointment
To get started with Start My Wellness,  or call 248-514-4955. During the scheduling process, we will ask questions to match you with the  who will best meet your needs including service type, emotional symptoms and availability.
## Call (248) 514-4955
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## Frequently Asked Questions About Child-Centered Play Therapy
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##### How Will Play Therapy Help My Child?
Play therapy benefits younger children, allowing them to express themselves non-verbally, build self-esteem, and develop problem-solving skills, all of which lead to better emotional expression, problem-solving skills, and confidence. Additionally, CCPT has been shown to improve academic performance and decrease behavioral issues in school settings.
##### What Happens in Child Play Therapy Sessions?
In CCPT, children work in a  to express feelings, develop coping skills, and address behavioral and emotional challenges through play. Child-centered therapy is non-directive: the therapist facilitates and positively supports the child during the process, allowing them to constructively solve problems and reach conclusions independently. However, CCPT is not open-ended: within therapy, play is structured to achieve therapeutic goals, such as helping prevent social difficulties or achieve optimal emotional growth for their development.
##### What Are Some Types of Play that Children Engage with in Therapy?
Play is sometimes seen as a child’s work. Toys and activities are the vocabulary children use to express themselves. Play therapists use these tools to help children express thoughts and feelings they may otherwise have difficulty with. Guiding them through the process, play therapists encourage children to express conflicts and hurts in a safe and familiar way. In the process, children learn to master their worries which leads to a happier and more peaceful developmental progression.
Examples of play therapy activities are:
* Energetic play, gross motor play and physical activities
* Building, such as with legos or jigsaw puzzles
* Symbolic play with dolls or figurines to act out social scenarios
* Nurturing play with dolls or stuffed animals to act out caregiving
* Conflict-based play with toy soldiers or characters to express and learn to manage anger without judgment
* Role-playing through imaginative play, or dramatically acting out roles
* Mimetic play, or repeating certain sounds, words, or songs
* Play with rules, such as board games
##### What Are the 8 Principles of Child Therapy?
Child-Centered Play Therapy is influenced by the work of person-centered psychologist Carl Rogers, who believed that people have an innate tendency towards growth and self-actualization and that the therapist’s role is to facilitate this process. Virginia Axline used Rogers’ theory of person-centered approach to develop child-centered play therapy in 1947, which has the following principles:
1. Develop a friendly and empathetic alliance with the child.
2. Accept the child nonjudgmentally.
3. Create an environment where children can express themselves freely.
4. Recognize and reflect the child’s feelings to help them develop self-awareness.
5. Recognize and respect the child’s ability to solve their own problems.
6. Be non-directive, allow the child to guide therapy
7. Recognize that therapy is a gradual process
8. Set necessary limits and goals that are constructive and realistic.
##### Should I Be Directly Involved in Therapy Sessions as a Parent?
In some cases, , which is influenced primarily by the child’s developmental level and type of treatment. Younger children benefit from parents being involved directly in sessions, while older teenagers may prefer some level of autonomy in their sessions. Parents can play an equally important role by reinforcing therapeutic strategies at home.
##### As a Parent, How Can I Help My Child Outside of Therapy?
In some cases, therapists may suggest collateral sessions where parents discuss their child’s progress and the therapeutic strategies they have learned. Parents can offer the greatest support by reinforcing therapeutic lessons at home and continuously monitoring their children’s progress, as parents are their children’s biggest allies and the most aware of emotional or behavioral changes.
##### Can Family Be Involved in Child Therapy?
 is commonly used with child therapy to reinforce education across the household, address family relationship issues that may contribute to a child’s challenges, and improve treatment effectiveness.
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The  team is here to answer any questions you may have about starting or making the most of mental health services. Please reach out to us and we’ll respond within one business day. 
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