Play therapy for children ages 3 to 12 in Orlando
Child Play Therapy in Orlando for Children Ages 3 to 12
Help for big feelings, hard transitions, and the daily struggles wearing your family down
When your child’s feelings are too big, the meltdowns keep taking over, or everyday routines have turned into constant power struggles, it can wear on the whole family. Many parents reach out when they feel like they have tried everything in their toolbox and still end up back in the same exhausting cycle.
​
I provide child play therapy in a calm, nature-inspired Orlando office where children can work through what feels too big, too confusing, or too overwhelming to explain in words. Through play, creativity, movement, EMDR when appropriate, and parent guidance, I help children feel safer, parents feel steadier, and families move back toward connection.
Orlando office: 1858 N Alafaya Trail, Suite 208, Orlando, FL 32826
Private pay: Out-of-network
Step Up: Step Up for Unique Abilities accepted through EMA Marketplace
Why families usually reach out
Parents often come here when they are worried about emotional outbursts, anxiety, rigidity, perfectionism, ADHD-related challenges, trauma, or the way a major family transition is starting to show up in daily life. Sometimes the concern is new. Sometimes families have been carrying it for a long time and know they need a more fitting kind of support.
​
Behavior is communication. When a child seems overwhelmed, irritable, shut down, clingy, explosive, or constantly on edge, it often means their nervous system is carrying more than they know how to explain. Therapy helps us understand what is underneath the struggle, not just react to what is happening on the surface.
You might be here because
-
Your child struggles with big feelings and emotion regulation
-
ADHD-related frustration and transitions are taking over daily life
-
Anxiety, clinginess, or worry seem to be getting bigger
-
Perfectionism or fear of mistakes is making things harder
Parents also often reach out for support with
-
Trauma and distressing experiences
-
Divorce or separation adjustment
-
Parent-child conflict and household strain
-
Moves, school stress, and behavioral struggles
How child play therapy helps when words are not enough
For many children, sitting in a chair and talking through feelings simply does not work. It can feel boring, uncomfortable, or too far removed from how they naturally process the world. I use developmentally appropriate approaches to meet children in the language they already know: imagination, movement, creativity, relationship, and play.
Play that is purposeful
Play therapy is intentional clinical work. It helps children express feelings, process experiences, build coping skills, strengthen self-understanding, and practice new ways of relating without needing to explain everything like an adult.
A room that helps children settle
My office is designed with a calm, nature-inspired feel. Soft greens and sky blues, sensory-friendly details, and play-based materials help children feel less pressured from the moment they walk in. Many children naturally gravitate toward the sand tray, clay and art area, dollhouse, puppets, and other tools that give them more than one way to communicate.
Support that reaches beyond the session
The goal is not only for your child to feel supported in session. The goal is for progress to carry into daily life at home too, while giving parents more clarity, steadiness, and practical tools they can actually use.
When EMDR may help
When something scary or upsetting is part of the story, EMDR may sometimes be woven into treatment in a child-friendly way. Children do not have to explain everything perfectly for healing work to begin.
​
I often explain it like this: sometimes a scary memory gets stuck, like a toy stuck between the couch cushions. EMDR helps the brain get that memory where it belongs so the feeling is not so big and scary anymore.
​
Learn more about how Jennifer uses EMDR with children.
Parents are an essential part of the process
Therapy here is not designed as a drop-off-only service. Parent involvement looks different from case to case, but it is always important. The goal is for progress to show up at home, not only in session.
1. Parent intake
The process begins with the grownups. I start by understanding the family history, current concerns, and what life has been feeling like at home.
2. Initial child sessions
I then spend up to three sessions getting to know your child, building trust, and understanding how stress, strengths, and needs are showing up through play and relationship.
3. Integrated plan
After the initial assessment phase, we meet again to review what I am seeing, clarify therapy goals, and discuss the treatment plan so you understand both the direction of care and your role in supporting progress at home.
4. Ongoing parent guidance
As therapy continues, parent-only sessions are often woven in after every three child sessions so you can review progress, troubleshoot current concerns, and leave with tools you can actually use at home. In some cases, parent involvement may also include joining part of a session or participating in family play work when it supports the goals of treatment.
​
Parent involvement is one of the ways therapy becomes more useful in real life. Families often leave with a better understanding of what is driving the struggle, how to respond more effectively, and how to support change between sessions.
A calm, nature-inspired space for children and families
The office is designed to help children feel more settled and less pressured from the moment they walk in. Soft greens and sky blues, sensory-friendly details, sand tray work, art materials, and play-based tools all support regulation and expression in a way that feels more natural for many children.
A room that helps children settle can support deeper work.
Play-based materials give children more than one way to communicate.
Art, movement, and sensory tools can help big feelings become more manageable.
Keeping therapy centered on your child
This practice is often a strong fit for families who want child-centered care, meaningful parent involvement, and a calm, developmentally appropriate approach.
​
Because of that, this practice is not designed for custody recommendations, testimony, or using treatment as part of a high-conflict dispute. If parents are separated or divorced, parenting-plan and consent questions may need to be reviewed before services begin so the therapy process can remain clear and centered on the child.
Private Pay and Step Up for Unique Abilities
This is a private-pay, out-of-network practice. Superbills may be provided upon request. Because a superbill requires a diagnosis, some families choose to use one and some prefer not to.
I also accept Step Up for Unique Abilities through EMA Marketplace. To help keep session time focused on care, funds should be reserved in your account prior to your appointment whenever possible. For step-by-step help, visit the Step Up Scholarship Guide.
​
Review payment and policy details in the FAQ
Common questions about child play therapy
Child play therapy is a developmentally appropriate form of therapy that helps children express, process, and work through emotions and experiences through play, creativity, movement, and relationship instead of relying only on words.
Yes. Therapy here is not designed as a drop-off-only service. The process begins with a parent intake, includes an initial assessment phase with the child, and builds in parent guidance as treatment continues.
The initial assessment phase usually includes the intake with parents and up to three child sessions. After that, we meet again to review concerns, goals, and the treatment plan.
Yes, when clinically appropriate. I may sometimes use EMDR in a child-friendly way to help distressing memories feel less stuck and less overwhelming.
Parenting-plan and consent questions may need to be reviewed before services begin so the therapy process can remain clear and centered on the child.
No. This is a private-pay, out-of-network practice. Superbills may be provided upon request. Step Up for Unique Abilities is also accepted through EMA Marketplace.
The next step is to request a consult through the contact page. Please keep website messages brief and general. Detailed clinical information can be shared later through secure channels if needed.
Related Support for Children and Families
Explore the broader services hub for child play therapy, EMDR for children, individual therapy, online therapy, Step Up guidance, and - coming soon, equine therapy.
Read more about my background, credentials, and the calm, parent-supportive approach behind the practice.
Request Consult
If you are looking for a calmer, more fitting path for your child and clearer support for yourself as a parent, this is a good place to start.
Phone: (407) 305-8300
Email: info@playtherapyorlando.com
Office: 1858 N Alafaya Trail, Suite 208, Orlando, FL 32826
To protect your privacy, please keep website messages general. Do not include detailed private or clinical information in a standard contact form.