Play Therapy
For the kids who don't have the words yet, and the parents trying to help
You've probably noticed something shift. Maybe it's new behaviour that doesn't quite make sense — meltdowns that seem bigger than the moment, a return to habits they'd outgrown, a quietness that wasn't there before. Maybe there's a clear reason — a big change at home, a hard event, a diagnosis, a loss. Or maybe there isn't an obvious reason at all, and that's part of what's so disorienting.
You've likely already tried talking to them about it. Sometimes that works. Often, with kids, it doesn't — not because they don't have feelings about what's happening, but because they don't yet have the words to hand those feelings to you directly.
That's not a parenting failure. It's just how children process the world at this age. Play is often the language that gets there first.
What Play Therapy Looks Like Here
Child-centered play therapy is a gentle, child-led approach. Your child isn't being directed through an agenda — they're given a space where play itself becomes the way they express, process, and work through what's going on for them, with a trained therapist alongside them the whole time.
That might look like:
-
A space with toys, art materials, and sensory tools chosen specifically to support emotional expression
-
A therapist who follows your child's lead rather than steering the session toward a predetermined outcome
-
Real attention to what shows up in the play — themes, patterns, and repetitions that often say more than words would at this age
-
Regular, age-appropriate check-ins with you as the parent, so you're never left guessing what's happening in sessions
-
A pace that respects how long real change actually takes for a child's nervous system
-
Opportunities for parents to learn tools and skills to support them
Who We Work With
We work with children aged 4 and up, including kids who are:
-
Navigating a major family change — separation, a new sibling, a move, a loss
-
Showing increased anxiety, withdrawal, or behavioural changes without an obvious trigger
-
Processing a specific difficult event or experience
-
Neurodivergent, including children with ADHD or autism, where play therapy can offer a gentler entry point than more verbally-driven approaches
-
Simply struggling more than usual, in ways that are hard to name from the outside
Play Therapy, In-Person or Virtual
In-person play therapy sessions take place in our St. Stephen office, and we also offer support for families across St. Andrews, St. George, Blacks Harbour, McAdam.
We also work with virtually with children and families across New Brunswick and Canada.
We're happy to talk through what fits your family's situation and location during a free consult.
Related Reading
If your child's experience includes ADHD or broader neurodivergence, our ADHD and neurodiversity-affirming therapy page may add useful context.
And if you're weighing virtual versus in-person options for your family, our virtual therapy page is a good next stop.
Our Team
Specialized training. Lived experience. Real understanding.
You can read more about each of them on our Team page — look for mentions of ADHD, neurodiversity, and related specializations.
Not sure who to start with? A free 15-minute consult is exactly the right place to figure that out.