Find the right play therapy that helps children thrive! We provide compassionate support to children and families. Learn how play can unlock healing today.
At Upstream Counselling, our licensed mental health professionals and registered therapists recognize the profound power of play to help children navigate emotional and psychological challenges. Our play therapy sessions offer a safe and supportive environment where children can explore and express what is troubling them through the natural medium of play.
We use play therapy methods grounded in research, tailored to each child’s needs, to foster understanding, healing, and growth. These play therapy techniques allow children to understand their feelings and develop healthy coping mechanisms. We collaborate with children and families to create effective, compassionate strategies that encourage resilience.
We understand that play-based therapy is a form of therapy that respects the developmental stage of children who are struggling, offering a nurturing space for them to thrive. Through the practice of play therapy, we affirm the value of play as essential to emotional development and mental well-being.
Play therapy is a powerful form of therapy that uses the natural language of play to help children express and explore their thoughts and feelings. Within a safe, structured environment, play therapy enables children to process inner experiences in ways traditional talk therapy cannot, making it an ideal approach to therapy for younger clients.
Play therapy helps children who have experienced trauma or emotional distress and find it hard to articulate their feelings. Play provides a non-threatening outlet for self-expression, allowing children to express and communicate emotions through symbolic play, toys, and creative expression.
Engaging in play therapy interventions can help children learn essential interpersonal skills such as empathy, turn-taking, and active listening. This therapy can help children navigate social situations and form healthier peer and family relationships within a guided therapeutic setting.
Play therapists use structured activities to teach children practical tools for emotional regulation. Through imaginative play, storytelling, and role-playing, children learn adaptive coping strategies to manage anxiety, stress, and other emotional challenges.
The therapeutic powers of play encourage children to experiment with different roles and outcomes. In doing so, children discover new ways to find solutions and improve their decision-making, which enhances cognitive flexibility and real-world problem-solving skills.
As children discover their capacity to overcome challenges during play-based therapy, their belief in themselves strengthens. This process builds a more secure self-image, nurturing self-worth, independence, and emotional resilience over time.
Through targeted techniques, play therapy is a form of intervention that improves impulse control and behavioural regulation. These methods help children who have experienced difficulties adapt more positively at home and in school environments.
Take control of the process.
Beginning therapy can feel daunting but the truth is you decide what (and when) to share. Our diverse team specializes in a range of issues including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and relationship issues. No matter your situation, we're here to support your journey to empowerment and mental wellness.
Your therapist is your guide.
Finding the right therapist is key to achieving your goals. Dip your toes into the therapy experience by booking a free consultation with one of our registered psychotherapists. These appointments are an opportunity to address your questions and explore your challenges, needs, and aspirations.
Commit to the experience.
To maximize the benefits of counselling it’s important you attend sessions consistently. When in session, we encourage you to lead the agenda. (Remember, this is YOUR therapy!) Between sessions, we hope you will strive to apply new insights, practice new skills, and develop new habits that support personal growth.
Your child’s healing could begin with something as natural and familiar as play.
Our comprehensive play therapy interventions integrate a range of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioural therapy, art therapy, and animal-assisted therapy, to create a holistic and healing environment for children. This multi-modal framework is led by registered therapists who bring specialized training and compassion to every session.
Through play, children don't just cope with their world—they learn to master it. Our role is to guide this natural process toward healing and growth.
We believe that therapy for children should honour the unique language of childhood: play. In our sessions, instruments of play serve as tools through which children may express complex emotions, process experiences, and build resilience. Whether a child is navigating struggles with anxiety, trauma, or behavioural concerns, we tailor each treatment plan to their developmental stage and personal story.
Our use of evidence based therapy ensures each child benefits from the effect of play therapy while incorporating integrative practices such as narrative therapy and emotion-focused therapy, where appropriate. Play therapy may also involve creative modalities such as music therapy or guided storytelling, depending on what will help the child engage and heal most effectively.
Ultimately, play therapy allows children to explore their feelings and experiences in a safe and developmentally appropriate space. By promoting emotional regulation and cognitive flexibility, play-based therapy fosters lasting psychological well-being and supports children whose voices are most clearly heard through play.
At Upstream Counselling, we want you to feel comfortable with the counselling process. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about talking to a therapist about this type of therapy.
At Upstream Counselling, we recognize that child’s play is more than recreation—it is the language through which children make sense of their emotions and experiences. Through structured play sessions guided by trained professionals, we aim to provide developmentally attuned therapeutic experiences that nurture emotional resilience.
Facilitates Emotional Expression: Play therapy helps children externalize internal emotional experiences in a symbolic and non-threatening manner. This process is particularly valuable for children who have difficulty articulating their thoughts through traditional dialogue.
Encourages Healthy Communication: During sessions, children often use creative play to communicate their needs and perspectives. Our therapists are trained to interpret these expressions to better understand the child’s emotional landscape.
Improves Emotional Regulation: Structured play allows children to use their imagination and curiosity to work through distressing emotions, such as fear or sadness. This naturally supports the development of coping mechanisms in a nurturing environment.
Reinforces Self-Awareness and Identity: As children explore different roles and scenarios, they gain insight into their own thoughts and behaviours. The therapeutic setting supports them in understanding these experiences constructively.
Strengthens Attachment and Trust: When play therapy is used with children, it builds trusting therapeutic alliances that can extend to other interpersonal relationships. This connection creates a foundation for emotional security and behavioural growth.
We specialize in therapy that works with children by respecting their individual pace and personality, recognizing that each child's journey is unique. At Upstream Counselling, we assess each client’s developmental readiness and emotional needs to ensure the interventions are both effective and age-appropriate.
Ideal for Children with Emotional or Behavioral Challenges: Children between the ages of 3 and 12 are particularly responsive to play therapy modalities. Those struggling with anxiety, trauma, or family disruptions often benefit most from this child-centred approach.
Adaptable to Individual Learning Styles: Our therapists may use techniques like art, sand tray, or storytelling to match the child’s interests and cognitive level. This versatility ensures meaningful engagement in therapeutic activities.
Beneficial for Neurodivergent Children: Play therapy can be modified to meet the needs of children on the autism spectrum or those with ADHD. The flexibility of play-based methods makes therapy more accessible and less intimidating.
Complementary to Other Therapeutic Approaches: In some cases, we integrate modalities like dialectical behaviour therapy to address more complex emotional regulation needs. This holistic strategy reinforces positive change across multiple dimensions.
Responsive to the Family Context: We work with caregivers to co-create goals that support long-term development. By tailoring interventions within the child’s ecological context, we promote outcomes that extend beyond the therapy room.
At Upstream Counselling, we use the play not only as a method of emotional exploration but as a purposeful way to teach essential life skills. Our sessions help children build the tools they need to respond to challenges with greater resilience and adaptability.
Teaches Adaptive Coping Mechanisms: Play-based techniques help children identify, practice, and internalize strategies like deep breathing or positive self-talk. These methods equip children to regulate emotions and manage anxiety or distress more effectively.
Supports Real-Life Scenario Practice: Through role-play and storytelling, therapy can be used to safely rehearse responses to difficult situations. This builds confidence and improves behaviour in real-life settings.
Encourages Creative Problem Solving: As children engage in therapeutic play, they explore different ways to approach and resolve challenges. This strengthens their ability to generate solutions to problems in a flexible, confident manner.
Increases Emotional Vocabulary: Children often discover new ways to label and communicate their feelings during sessions. Improved emotional language enhances self-awareness and supports better communication.
Improves Frustration Tolerance: Working through challenges in play helps children cope with frustration in healthy ways. Over time, this fosters greater patience and emotional resilience.
Our therapeutic model integrates evidence-based techniques with deep sensitivity to the child’s individual story, ensuring that every session provides a safe space for healing. At Upstream Counselling, we pride ourselves on creating compassionate, customized experiences that respect the developmental nuances of each client.
Therapist Expertise and Training: Each therapist is highly qualified and trained specifically in play therapy with children. Our team also engages in ongoing professional development to integrate emerging research into practice.
Multi-Modal Integration: We incorporate other validated approaches such as narrative, emotion-focused, and even animal-assisted therapies. This layered framework enhances efficacy and engagement.
Family-centred Collaboration: Parents and guardians are integral to the process, with opportunities to participate in planning and progress updates. This enhances continuity of care and reinforces therapeutic gains at home.
Flexible Delivery Formats: We offer in-person and hybrid sessions, allowing for consistent support even when circumstances change. Accessibility is a key pillar of our service philosophy.
Commitment to Ethical and Inclusive Practice: Our approach is inclusive of diverse identities and experiences, ensuring that all children feel seen and respected. We tailor our work to reflect cultural, social, and developmental considerations.
If you're looking to find the right play therapy for your child, Upstream Counselling offers a compassionate and guided path forward. From initial consultation to consistent therapeutic sessions, we prioritize transparency, empowerment, and collaboration.
Book a Free Consultation: Start by scheduling a no-obligation session to explore how our services might support your family. This helps us understand your child’s needs and match you with the right therapist.
Participate in a Personalized Assessment: We assess each child’s history, developmental stage, and emotional needs before beginning formal sessions. This ensures that treatment plans are rooted in accurate understanding and empathy.
Engage in Collaborative Goal Setting: Therapy to help your child succeed involves shared goals with caregivers and therapists. These objectives are revisited regularly to track progress and adjust strategies.
Commit to Consistent Engagement: Therapy is often most effective when approached with regular attendance and active participation. We encourage families to maintain open communication and reinforce therapeutic tools at home.
Support Your Child Between Sessions: Caregivers play a vital role in reinforcing the benefits of play-based therapy outside of the counselling room. We offer guidance and resources to help kids cope and thrive in daily life.
Our team at Upstream Counselling is here to help you explore issues, gain insights, begin your journey towards healing, and work towards the goals you identify during the counselling process.
Personalized therapy designed to address specific mental health issues while also nurturing personal growth and well-being.
A counselling program focusing on fostering effective communication, resolving conflicts, and nurturing healthy relationships.
A program designed to support clinical growth, whether you’re a student or a seasoned professional.
We are ready and looking forward to meeting you. Get started today by clicking the link below and booking your free 15-minute discovery call. All our services are private and confidential.
Disclaimer: Content on this website is for informational purposes only. Visiting this website does not establish any type of therapist-client relationship with Upstream Counselling or its staff. Information obtained from this site does not substitute for a thorough medical and/or psychiatric evaluation by an appropriately credentialed and licensed professional.
