Play Therapy
Kids need more help now than ever and we can help them feel comfortable talking about their problems. Little people can have big worries, and play therapy will help them get these worries out in a healthy way. Below you’ll find a description of the play therapies that we offer to families for their children. When you’re ready to schedule your therapy session, please click the ‘Schedule Today’ button to connect with us and get the process started.
Our approach to Play Therapy in Wesley Chapel, FL
Is your child struggling with grief and loss, divorce adjustment, anxiety, or depression? Are you at a loss for how to help your child?
Are you experiencing heartbreak because you are watching your child suffer and you do not know how to help? Are you wondering if the red flags you are seeing in your child are typical phases of child development or if it is more than the norm?
Seeing a negative mental health decline in your child can be alarming. You may be asking your pediatrician if these changes are normal for child development. You are feeling unsettled because you feel that something is off with your child and you are not sure what path to take to get your child help. As a parent, it can be painful to watch your child suffer from mental health challenges.
Our child therapists understand the intense need for support that parents have when they are walking this journey with their child. You want someone who will listen to your concerns for your child and understand them. You want someone to tell you whether there is a mental health diagnosis or these are only normal bumps in the road.
Our team is mindful of the challenges of raising a child. We have provided support and play-based interventions for many families along the way.


Mental Health Issues in Childhood that May Warrant the Need for Play Therapy Near Tampa, FL:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- Behavioral issues caused by bullying
- Grief and loss
- Divorce and adjustment
- Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
- Crisis and trauma
- Social skills deficits/Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Conduct Disorder

Play Therapy Components at Sheltering Oaks Counseling
Play is a medium for children to express their feelings and explore relationships. Play is our first language. As adults, we use words to communicate. As such, children use play. When playing, we express thoughts and feelings that might otherwise remain hidden. Play therapy builds therapeutic trust between the therapist and your child. It also serves as a platform for learning acceptable behaviors and ways to regulate emotions. Play therapy promotes creative problem-solving and encourages open communication.
Our therapists use evidence-supported play therapy treatments to treat your child’s problems. One example of a play-based strategy often used in play therapy is using puppet play. Puppets can be used to role-play difficult social situations. For example, peer conflict, poor conversation skills, or poor social problem-solving skills.
Many parents are hesitant to bring in children, believing they are too young for therapy. We do not recommend strictly talk therapy for young children. But, we do believe play therapy is an effective treatment method to help your child or teen. Our team serves children as young as four years old. We use play therapy with a variety of age groups including adolescents.
You do not have to continue watching your child suffer and hoping they will get better without a plan. We are here for you, with professional, caring play therapists who are prepared to support you and your child. Healing is possible, and we can help. Why not get started today?

If you have an inclination that you might need to talk with a mental health professional, do it. Counseling is a perfectly normal and valuable experience that benefits many people. Is it time for you to get help and feel more connected in your relationships?
Ready to Schedule an Appointment for testing or therapy?
We know how difficult it can be to take the first step to ask for help. You also may have questions! Our team of mental health professionals are available to help you through this process. Call today and we will get you scheduled with one of our therapists or testing psychologists. If you have questions before you begin, we're here to answer questions about therapy, testing, our counselors, or anything else. Please fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch with you soon!
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Other Mental Health Services at Sheltering Oaks Counseling
Your family may need help in more than one way. At Sheltering Oaks Counseling, we want to meet the mental health needs of every member of your family. Therefore, we offer a number of mental health services at our Wesley Chapel, FL based therapy clinic. For example, our therapists offer Christian counseling, counseling for young adults, therapy for cancer survivors and trauma therapy. We also have marriage counseling, family therapy, play therapy, and counseling for ministers. Not only can we help you in our Tampa area counseling offices, but we can also work with you anywhere in the state with online therapy in Florida.
Additionally, we offer several types of testing services, including neuropsychological testing, ADHD testing, psychoeducational evaluation, Gifted testing, and more. Finally, our specialty services for veterans and parents as IEP advocates can help you too! We would love to connect when you are ready to reach out.