Play therapy is the appropriate modality for children because of their brain development. The emotional and creative parts of a child’s brain develop much faster than the parts of their brain that control language, making it challenging for children to express themselves verbally at times. Play therapists are trained to be able to interpret themes from sessions to understand what a child is communicating, which leads to greater insights for children and their families so long-lasting changes can be made. Play therapy is also often more engaging for children than traditional talk therapy, allowing for children to feel motivated to come to sessions. Research has shown that play therapy is effective for children for a variety of presenting challenges, including anxiety, depression, aggression, self-control, disruptive behaviors, attachment issues, grief and bereavement, self-concept/self-esteem, trauma and PTSD, and more.

• Challenging behaviors at home and at school, including disruptive behaviors

• Aggression

• Challenges related to neurodivergence

• Anxiety, separation anxiety, panic, and phobias

• Depression, suicidality, and self-harm

• Navigating major life changes, including separation, divorce, and grief

• Trauma and PTSD

• Challenges with expressing and/or regulating emotions

Synergetic Play Therapy (SPT) focuses on experiential learning so children can learn and practice regulation strategies in the moment. SPT helps children re-pattern their responses over time so they become more resilient and regulated when responding to challenges. Compared to other forms of play therapy, SPT puts a heavy emphasis on experiential learning to lead to nervous system re-patterning, which helps with long-term healing and gives children lifelong skills.

I offer free 15-minute phone consultations before scheduling an intake appointment so we can decide if we are a mutual fit for each other. During this call, we briefly discuss concerns and what you are looking for in services, as well as logistical pieces such as scheduling compatibility and medical decision-making, as everyone who has medical decision-making for your child will need to sign-off on services before starting. We also have ample time for you to ask any questions you might have.

Sessions typically start on a weekly basis and move to biweekly or monthly as progress is made. Sessions are 40 minutes one-on-one with children and are followed by 10 minutes of a parent-only meeting to discuss themes, supports, and progress. Sessions are typically non-directive, meaning they are child-led to give children the space to explore and process what they need to. Directive interventions are used in sessions as needed based on identified goals.

Lindsay offers both before and after-school appointments - reach out directly for the most up-to-date availability. Lindsay offers telehealth appointments for parent-only meetings, such as intakes and parent coaching sessions. Telehealth may be appropriate for some clients, but Lindsay generally schedules play therapy sessions in-person.

Many of the families I work with are going through separation or divorce. When parents have shared decision-making rights, both parents will need to sign consent forms before services can start, and we also require that you provide a current copy of your parenting agreement for our records. During the intake process, we will discuss in detail what each parent’s involvement will look like, including how parents will receive updates, parent meetings, and financial pieces. The goal is to figure out an agreement that works for everyone so we can work as a team to support your child.

My session fee is $140, with limited reduced fee slots available. I accept Victims’ Compensation and am also partnered with Second Wind Fund Grant, a non-profit that fully reimburses for 12-20 sessions if your child is considered at-risk for suicide, meaning your child can access services for free - reach out for more information to find out if your child would qualify. I do not accept insurance but do provide superbills in case your insurance provides out-of-network benefits. Working outside of insurance allows for our work to put your child’s needs first and foremost rather than insurance dictating service needs.

Sessions are 50 minutes, split into 40 minutes of individual therapy and 10 minutes for a caregiver meeting. Sessions typically start on a weekly basis but can start on a biweekly basis if that is appropriate for your child’s needs. The duration of treatment typically lasts 18-25 sessions but depends on your child’s specific challenges and whether stressors are ongoing. Frequency and duration of treatment are discussed in-depth during the intake process, along with goals for treatment.