Service
Child/Youth
& Play Therapy
giving kids permission to play
Play therapy is a fantastic way to engage children in feeling comfortable enough to share what they’re going through and feeling. At Crossroads Collective, we give them permission to play and in return, they open up to us.
PLAY THERAPY CAN HELP
The use of play therapy as a tool helps children work through emotional issues. It allows children to form deeper self-esteem which helps improve their lives. Play Therapy can be used to address these concerns and others:
- Behavioural concerns
- Attachment
- Emotional concerns
- Relationships
- Communication development
- Traumatic past experiences
Children are often not able to communicate their feelings in the same way adults do. This type of therapy allows children to recreate, and with the assistance of the therapist, discuss the feelings and emotions they’re feeling. Whether it’s sadness, anger, worry or extreme happiness, all feelings are welcome during play therapy.
TECHNIQUES USED IN SESSIONS
There are a variety of types of expressive play therapy including dramatic and fantasy play, sandbox play and art-focused play. When a child comes to us, we allow them to explore the office and select the play activities they want to do. This helps build trust and a therapeutic alliance between the child and therapist. The child’s therapist may also choose certain activities to help certain types of emotions or reactions come out. For example, they may encourage the child to play with dolls to elicit emotions pertaining to family.HOW WE WORK OUR MAGIC
This type of child therapy works best when it happens consistently. So, having a predictable schedule of the day and time remaining the same allows your children to get comfortable with us. While a parent may want to ask questions to their child about the session, allow your child to reach out to share first. If the parent is tempted to ask, it could hurt the trust and comfortability that the therapist has worked to gain with the child.We are here to support you along your journey.
We are now accepting both virtual appointments as well as in-person appointments. Click below and schedule your first visit today!
Certified Play Therapists
Lisa Moore, MA
MA Counselling Psychology, RCC, CCC, Certified Play Therapist & Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
DEMOGRAPHIC: Children, Youth, Adults and Family Therapy
SPECIALTIES: Play Therapy, Special Needs Advocacy and Diagnosis, Anxiety, Depression, Career Counselling, Addictions, LGBTQIA+, Aboriginal Issues, Grief
Desiree D’silva, m.ED
Clinical Counsellor (CCC) & Certified Play Therapist with a specialization in anxiety
DEMOGRAPHIC: Children, Youth, Adults, Couples
SPECIALTIES: Depression, Anxiety, Self Esteem, Play Therapy, Behaviour Intervention, Supporting parents with Autism/adhd/odd diagnoses
Nadine Viker
Certified Play Therapist & Behavioural Technician
DEMOGRAPHIC: Children, Youth, Adults, Parents
SPECIALTIES: Child Play Therapy, Assessments for various Diagnoses, ADHD, Autism, ODD
Hao Yen Lim, MA
Clinical Counsellor (CCC) & Certified Play Therapist
DEMOGRAPHIC: Young Adults, Youth, Children, Family, Couples
SPECIALTIES: Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Self-Esteem, Fears, Life Transitions, Grief, Cultural Diversity, Relationship Concerns, Anger Management, Finding Balance, Abuse, Addiction
Shannon Lawrence
Certified Play Therapist & Behavioural Programmer
DEMOGRAPHIC: Adults, Families, Youth, Children
SPECIALTIES: Anxiety, Grief & Loss, Self-Esteem, Fears, Mental Health, Trauma, Personal Development, Parent Education, Blended Families, Depression, supporting parents with special needs, Autism/Adhd/ADD/OCD/ODD diagnosis
Tracy tillapaugh, M.A.
Clinical Counsellor (RCC) & Certified Play Therapist
DEMOGRAPHIC: Young Adults, Youth, Children, Family, Couples
SPECIALTIES: Holistic Approach, Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Self-Esteem, Fears, Life Transitions, Grief, Relationship Concerns, Finding Balance, Abuse
Cassandra Hildebrand, M.A.
Clinical Counsellor (RCC) & Behavioural Programmer
DEMOGRAPHIC: Children, Youth, Young Adults
SPECIALTIES: Play Therapy, Special Needs, Anxiety, Depression, Personal Development, Boundaries
Deneen Holder
Associate Counsellor & Certified Play Therapist
DEMOGRAPHIC: Children, Youth, Adults, Families, Couples
SPECIALTIES: Parent-child relationships, Adoption and Fostering, Play Therapy, Grief, Anxiety, Depression, Life Transitions