Aimee VanKoughnett, MSW RSW CPT

03/29/2026

This past week, I had the incredible pleasure of being a guest lecturer for the Master of Relational and Family Therapy program at the University of Guelph 🌿

We spent the day exploring how to bring play and creativity into clinical work with children and families. Beyond the theory, these emerging therapists dove into experiential, playful activities - feeling firsthand how transformative this approach can be.

My biggest takeaway for the class? Play IS the therapy.

It’s not just a “warm-up” to talking; play is a child’s first language. It’s how they process their world through action and metaphor long before they have the words to explain it.
When we meet them there, we aren’t just “playing”… we are fostering deep relational healing.

I’m still buzzing from the energy in the room and the kind feedback from the students
(swipe to the end to see a secret goal I’ve been manifesting for a while! ✨).

It is such a privilege to help plant these seeds with the next generation of therapists.

Thank you, U of G, for the warm welcome!🥰🎓

Inspired by the power of play? 🎨 I love bringing these concepts to life for staff teams, clinicians, students, and parents. Send me a DM to book a free, no-obligation call to chat about how I can support your group! 💌

02/05/2026

Our healing space was featured on the CAPT - Canadian Association for Play Therapy page to celebrate International Play Therapy Week!

I’ve worked hard to create a play environment that supports children’s natural creativity and emotional expression. Every corner was intentionally designed to support play as the language of healing. When children feel welcomed and grounded, powerful things can happen. ❤️

So grateful for all the children and families who I’ve had the privilege of sharing this space with🧸🌈

01/10/2026

✨2025✨ was a year of meaningful work across play therapy, caregiver support, and training and consultation with those supporting children every day. ➡️Swipe through for a glimpse of the impact of this work.

Thank you to the families, professionals and organizations who trusted me with their time, stories and learning this year❣️

11/23/2025

This fall I spent a few days with the incredible educators at the Waterloo Region District School Board, exploring strategies to support children in their Extended Day Programs.

➡️Swipe to see the impact, the jump in educator confidence, and the words they shared.

❤️I’m so looking forward to continuing to partner with WRDSB in the new year, offering several more training sessions for school staff across the region!

My 2026 speaking and training calendar is filling up quickly. If you’re hoping to connect, reach out and let’s chat about how I can support your organization. 💌

11/03/2025

The month of October brought some wonderful opportunities to train incredible professionals across Waterloo Region! 👩‍🏫

First up, I was delighted to virtually share my “Play-based Interventions for Assessing and Treating Children and Youth” training with the amazing team at .therapy

Together, we explored how to bring creativity and play into every phase of therapy for clients ages 4 to 16. We practiced hands-on activities to build rapport and trust, use playful methods for assessment, and support skill-building and closure through engaging, developmentally attuned approaches.

Some feedback from participants:
💬 “Amazing and truly inspirational,”
💬 “So interactive and informative!,” &
💬 “Lovely presenter, warm, genuine, great info.” 💛

Are you part of a child- and youth-serving organization looking to integrate more play-based interventions into your clinical work? 🧸🪁🎲💜

As a Certified Play Therapist with additional training in play therapy supervision, I’d love to support your team through customized group training or 1:1 professional consultation services. Let’s connect! 💌

07/01/2025

07/01/2025

Last week I had the pleasure of spending the day with the staff of the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre & Camp Acorn🌳⛺️
They provide a safe place for kids to heal after experiences of abuse ❤️‍🩹 Such an incredible organization!
We explored my “Connect Before You Correct” training to assist them in supporting children in their summer camp program👶🏼👧🏽.
This team was engaged, brave & passionate about helping children feel safe & connected in their programs 💛
What an honour to be invited to their staff training week!
💙Swipe through to see what we got up to!

06/22/2025

I had the absolute pleasure of returning to the stunning wilderness lakes region of Temagami in Northeastern Ontario to spend the past three days offering training to incredible staff at .langskib 🌊🌿✨

They offer life-changing wilderness programs and canoe trips for children and teens. I was truly honoured to be invited to join their team - sharing conversations about the power of relationship-building with young people, and exploring how to embrace conflict and hold space for big emotions. 🛶💬

We spent the first half of our time diving into concepts from my “Connect Before You Correct” training, and the second half exploring “Brave Leadership: Courage, Boundaries, and Conflict Confidence.”
I was so moved by this group’s self-awareness, bravery, and the effortless way they created a sense of belonging (even for someone new like me). 💛

I’m deeply grateful to have been welcomed into their space. The moments we spent in circle - talking, learning, and growing together - have left a lasting impact on me.

Until we meet again! ✨🌳

Stay tuned for my next great adventure with another inspiring organization across the lake! 🤩

06/09/2025

🌍✨ Just wrapped up the most inspiring weekend at the Canadian Association for Play Therapy Conference in beautiful Victoria, BC!

Two days of deep connection, growth, and learning with fellow play therapy professionals from across Canada and beyond. We explored how play therapy can support children and families in a world full of change — from trauma and identity to digital shifts and global crises.

I am so grateful for the wisdom shared by keynote speakers .mochi and .cassina of , and all the incredible workshop facilitators. I am returning home to Ontario feeling energized, recharged, and hopeful. 💫🧸

CAPT - Canadian Association for Play Therapy

03/31/2025

As National Social Work Month comes to an end, I thought it would be fitting to share all the places my career in social work has taken me!

Each step has made me the therapist I am today, and I am so grateful to do this meaningful work everyday 💛 Thank you to all my clients, mentors and colleagues who have been a part of my journey.

02/23/2025

Wow- can you believe how fast February has flown by? This month, I had the privilege of speaking to and training two amazing groups of professionals dedicated to working with children and youth.

I kicked things off braving a snowstorm to attend the 2025 Conference in Toronto, where I presented to leaders in the children’s summer camp industry. We had powerful discussions about how summer camps can support kids with vulnerable nervous systems, and we explored fun, play-based ways to connect with children, validate feelings and encourage cooperation.

Then, just last week, I had the chance to go to the HWDSB to work with the staff of YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford’s Beyond the Bell after-school program. We challenged common misconceptions about children often labeled as “aggressive” or “oppositional,” reframing those behaviors as expressions of unmet needs. We also practiced hands-on strategies for building strong connections and fostering positive behavior through felt-safety.

Every time I leave a presentation, I’m energized and inspired by the participants and their unwavering dedication to supporting the children they work with. These amazing individuals truly make the world a better place!

Interested in learning more about my “Connect Before You Correct” training, or want to discuss how we can create a custom workshop for your team? Let’s connect!