Courageous Counselling and Play Therapy

Courageous Counselling and Play Therapy Providing play therapy and counselling services to families in the St. Thomas and surrounding areas.

This is something I get asked about often.In many cases, play therapy is covered under extended health benefits. In my ...
04/24/2026

This is something I get asked about often.

In many cases, play therapy is covered under extended health benefits. In my practice, coverage is under my license as a Registered Psychotherapist.

Every plan is different, but it’s worth taking a look—you may already have access to support for your child.

What often surprises parents is that play isn’t just play for kids—it’s communication.“Toys are children’s words and pla...
04/20/2026

What often surprises parents is that play isn’t just play for kids—it’s communication.

“Toys are children’s words and play is their language.” — Garry Landreth

When we understand this, it also makes sense why play therapy requires such specialized training. We’re not just watching children play—we’re learning how to understand what they’re communicating and respond in ways that are clinically attuned, safe, and meaningful.

If you’re curious about whether play therapy might be a fit for your child, you’re welcome to book a free consult to learn more.

You can also find a directory of Certified Play Therapists through the Canadian Association for Play Therapy.

There’s no set timeline for play therapy. While some children begin to show shifts within a few months, the pace of chan...
04/15/2026

There’s no set timeline for play therapy. While some children begin to show shifts within a few months, the pace of change is guided by each child’s unique needs and the safety of the therapeutic relationship.

Did you know that when your child is playing pretend, they’re actually learning how to understand others?When they’re be...
04/04/2026

Did you know that when your child is playing pretend, they’re actually learning how to understand others?

When they’re being the teacher, the parent, or even a superhero, they’re trying on different roles, working through experiences, and making sense of the world around them.

This is how children build empathy, practice problem-solving, and develop social understanding — in a way that feels natural and safe to them.

Play isn’t just play… it’s their way of processing.

And when children need extra support, play therapy meets them right there.💛

🌟 Virtual Summer Anxiety Group for Kids 🌟A small, fun, therapist-led group for kids ages 9–11 to:✅ Learn about anxiety a...
03/18/2026

🌟 Virtual Summer Anxiety Group for Kids 🌟

A small, fun, therapist-led group for kids ages 9–11 to:
✅ Learn about anxiety and increase self-awareness
✅ Practice coping strategies
✅ Build confidence and connect with peers

📞 Parents also get a follow-up call to review progress and next steps.

🗓 Limited spots (4–6 children per group) – scan the QR code to register or learn more!

This might sound corny — or too simple — but this perspective genuinely transformed my parenting.When I stopped seeing d...
03/05/2026

This might sound corny — or too simple — but this perspective genuinely transformed my parenting.

When I stopped seeing dysregulation as something I needed to shut down… everything shifted.

Before, my child’s big feelings felt like a threat to my nervous system.
It felt urgent. It felt LOUD. Like:

“I need to make this stop.”
“If this keeps happening, I’m failing.”

But when I began to understand dysregulation as activation — a brain doing its developmental work — it no longer felt like an emergency.

It became a sign that growth was happening.

Their brain was learning.
Their system was stretching.
And my role wasn’t to eliminate the feeling — it was to sit with them and guide them through it.

That shift increased my capacity to stay steady.
And when we’re steady, they borrow that steadiness.

If your child’s big emotions feel overwhelming — for them or for you — you’re not alone. Regulation is built in relationship.

Reach out to learn how I can support your child’s regulation and emotional growth through play therapy - and grow your own too through parent support sessions.💛

Sometimes you just know something feels a little off with your child.It might look like:• Big emotional reactions that a...
03/02/2026

Sometimes you just know something feels a little off with your child.

It might look like:
• Big emotional reactions that are hard to settle
• Ongoing worry or anxiety
• Withdrawal from friends, family, or activities
• Changes in sleep, appetite, or clinginess
• Behaviours that seem “younger” than their age

Children don’t always have the words to explain how they feel — their emotions often show up through behaviour.

In my latest blog, I share:
✨ Signs a child may benefit from counselling
✨ How child-centred play therapy supports emotional growth, confidence, coping skills, and resilience
✨ The 4 universal outcomes of play therapy (based on the work of Brenna Hicks)
✨ When it might be the right time to reach out

Early support can help children feel understood, build confidence, navigate big feelings, and develop skills that last a lifetime.

🔗 Read the full blog at the link in my bio.

Did you know a 4-year-old’s brain has twice as many synapses as an adult’s? 🤯That makes them amazing little learners… bu...
02/23/2026

Did you know a 4-year-old’s brain has twice as many synapses as an adult’s? 🤯

That makes them amazing little learners… but also easily overstimulated. ⚡

At this age, they rely on our connected, regulated nervous system to feel safe and make sense of big emotions. Through co-regulation, we help their brains reset, stay connected, and build emotional resilience — all while learning and exploring the world. 💛

02/18/2026

When my child used to tantrum, I felt like I needed to stop it. Control it. Fix it.

But everything shifted when I began seeing it as a developing brain — not defiance.

Instead of asking, “How do I shut this down?”
I started asking, “What skill is still developing?”

Impulse control. Regulation. Tolerating frustration.

I realized my job wasn’t to prevent the meltdown or take it personally. It was to co-regulate — to help their nervous system learn:

“I can face something hard… and get through it.”

That’s the foundation of regulation.

When I stopped trying to control the behavior and started getting curious, I became less triggered by the yelling and the tears.

Because this wasn’t me failing.
It was simply my child’s brain learning new skills.✨

Happy Family Day 🤍No pressure.No Pinterest crafts required.No “making it magical.”Just pick one small moment and lean in...
02/16/2026

Happy Family Day 🤍

No pressure.
No Pinterest crafts required.
No “making it magical.”

Just pick one small moment and lean in.

Family Day Connection Challenge:

Have a 5-minute “Yes Time.”
For five minutes, your child chooses the game.
You follow their lead.
No correcting. No multitasking. No phone.

Just play.

Connection doesn’t need to be big to be powerful.
It grows in eye contact, laughter, and letting them feel like you’re really there.

Bonus: you might regulate your own nervous system, too. 😉

Happy connecting! ✨

Children don’t always have the words to explain what they’re feeling — but they do know how to play.Play therapy is how ...
02/11/2026

Children don’t always have the words to explain what they’re feeling — but they do know how to play.

Play therapy is how we meet them there.

Through toys, art, games, storytelling, and creative expression, children can safely work through big feelings, hard experiences, and everyday challenges in a way that feels natural to them.

Play isn’t “just play.”
It’s communication.
It’s processing.
It’s healing.

If you’ve ever wondered how counselling works for children — this is it. 💛

📍Serving children and families in St. Thomas, London, Aylmer, Port Stanley and surrounding areas.

It’s Play Therapy Week! 🧸✨I’m so grateful to do this work - helping kids grow, express, and heal through play. Big thank...
02/05/2026

It’s Play Therapy Week! 🧸✨

I’m so grateful to do this work - helping kids grow, express, and heal through play. Big thanks to the families who make this possible and to the amazing community of play therapists I’m proud to be part of!

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Saint Thomas, ON

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