It is important to understand that therapy is not intended as a behavior management tool. The primary focus is addressing their emotional needs in a supportive environment that is developmentally appropriate for their needs. Positive behavior shifts can often occur in therapy, but they are a natural outcome of addressing the emotional and mental health needs of the child, not from a focus on behavior alone.

Asking the therapist to focus on behavior can shift the dynamic, making the therapist seem like an authority figure rather than a trusted support. While our focus in therapy is on emotional growth, if you ever feel like you need more direct help with this, I can share tools, resources, or refer you to specialists who can offer additional support.

Therapy is personalized to support each client’s unique developmental and emotional needs.

For younger children, sessions may include creative activities, imaginative play, and age-appropriate talk therapy to help them express emotions, improve communication, and build confidence.

For teens, therapy often blends creative activities with talk therapy, providing a judgment-free space to explore their thoughts, develop new skills, and strengthen their self-understanding and confidence.

Ashley utilizes techniques learned in various Play Therapy education workshops and is committed to continued professional development through ongoing training.

Play Therapy is a research-based approach that allows children to express emotions, process experiences, and learn coping skills through play. Young children do not always have the language to verbalize complex emotions, so play serves as their natural form of communication.

It may look like "just playing," but therapists trained to utilize these techniques are trained to observe patterns, themes, and expressions in play that reveal a child’s emotional world. Over time, this helps children better understand themselves and heal at their own pace.

Caregivers attend the first session where the therapist will conduct a thorough assessment to understand your concerns, set treatment goals, and gather important information about your child.

After the initial session, your child will meet with their therapist individually. Throughout the treatment process, Ashley will provide relevant updates while respecting your child’s trust and confidentiality.

Any additional involvement will depend on your child’s age and therapeutic needs.