Playful Therapy Connections

12/19/2025

The wonderful Janelle McCarthy!

12/15/2025

Check this out!!

Our very own Janelle McCarthy, LCPC, LPC, RPT will be joining Shefter Law P.A. on their podcast livestreamed tomorrow, Dec. 16th, at 12pm!

You can view the livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTq3iaNrN4Q

Join licensed counselor and play therapist Janelle McCarthy as she unpacks what it truly means to be neurodiversity-affirming in therapy, schools, and families. Discover how inclusion coaching helps children, parents, and communities thrive together through understanding, co-regulation, and connection. Learn why supporting the whole system—not just the child—creates lasting change.

Join us tomorrow! Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTq3iaNrN4Q

Or register to get a reminder! Here:

https://app.lawmatics.com/forms/share/0b7aab34-29bc-44fe-9839-a3a0a30994f4

12/12/2025

In case you missed the event last night, here are some tips to help in Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child this Holiday Season!

Twenty tips from Dr. Jaclyn Halpern on ways to support neurodivergent children during the holiday season.

12/11/2025

Don't forget! Happening tomorrow night, Dec. 11th @ 7pm!

Join us for an evening with Dr. Jaclyn Halpern of Playful Therapy Connections as we talk about supporting our neurodivergent children during the holiday season.

12/05/2025

Failure sucks. It really hurts, but you should still be proud for trying. It takes a lot of courage to try. Failure isn't the end, it's a lesson that can help you learn.

[Image description: A four panel comic of Honeydew going to try a thing, with their partner, Ky, cheering them on. The comic is titled "Can't Do Attitude" and is made by Theresa Scovil.

Panel 1:
Honeydew asks Ky "Do you think I can do the thing?"
Ky happy says "Yes! You can do the thing!"
Panel 2:
Honeydew has a confident smile and says "I can do the thing!"
Ky cheerfully says "You can do the thing!"
Panel 3:
Narrations says "One attempt later."
Honeydew cries and says "I couldn't do the thing."
Ky looks sad.
Panel 4:
Ky hugs Honeydew and says "And that's okay. I'm still proud of you for trying."]

12/03/2025

Check out this **Free** virtual event on Dec. 11th @ 7pm!

We're collaborating with Sixx Cool Moms for a virtual chat focused on Navigating the Holidays with Neurodivergent Children!

Join Sixx Cool Moms for an evening with Dr. Jaclyn Halpern of Playful Therapy Connections as we talk about supporting our neurodivergent children during the holiday season.

The holidays can be fun and stressful at the same time, and it can feel even harder to navigate while supporting kids with sensory needs, routine changes, overwhelm, and family dynamics that are not always understanding.

This will be a Q&A-style conversation. Bring your questions. Dr. Halpern will also share practical considerations, tools, and ideas you can use to help your child feel supported and grounded through the season.

To sign up, visit: https://www.sixxcoolmoms.com/event-details/navigating-the-holidays-with-neurodivergent-children-virtual-chat

We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us for an evening with Dr. Jaclyn Halpern of Playful Therapy Connections as we talk about supporting our neurodivergent children during the holiday season.

11/27/2025

As we gather with friends and family, we acknowledge the National Day of Mourning and the truth of Thanksgiving.

Learn more below, including a brief video for kids from Molly of Denali.

https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/remembering-honoring-and-educating-national-day-mourning

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DHt5kQmWi/

Why Thanksgiving is a day of sorrow and protest for many

11/21/2025

Meet Carly! Carly Cannavina, LGPC is one of our newest associate counselors serving clients virtually in DC.

Carly joins the Playful Therapy team with experience working for the NGLCC, a non-profit advocacy organization that supports LGBTQ businesses, and a degree in public health. She also has experience working with neurodivergent children, teens and adults as an intern right here at Playful Therapy Connections! As a a multiply-neurodivergent person herself, she is particularly drawn to working with Autistic, ADHD and PDA teens and adults as well as those with dissociative-spectrum experiences.

Carly works with clients ages 7 through adults, utilizing a person-centered approach. She understands how the culture we live informs mental health. Due to her experiences in the field of public health, she also takes on systems-level approach to topics like disability and inequality. Rather than pathologizing your experiences, she works to acknowledge the forces outside of you that impact your mental health.

Outside the therapy room, you can find Carly writing, collaging, or sitting in the sun!

To read more about Carly's experience & expertise, you can check out her bio here: https://playfultherapy.net/meet-carly

To inquire about one of Carly's openings you can schedule a free consultation or contact us here: https://playfultherapy.net/contact
ID: Yellow background with light yellow spotlight streaks coming from top corners. Light blue text box in top center of image with dark blue text reading "Meet our Team!" Light yellow rounded text box on left side of image with black text reading "Carly Cannavina, LGPC (she/her). ASSOCIATE COUNSELOR, LEVEL 2. " Underneath is a light blue text box with dark blue text reading "Serving DC Clients." Playful therapy connections logo in bottom left corner of image. Digitally drawn portrait of Carly on right side of image with light purple background & white frame. Under portrait is black text reading "Portrait by Nathan McConnell."

11/18/2025

Quick reminder of this event happening tomorrow at 6:30pm!

Check out this workshop hosted by Sixx Cool Moms taking place in Gaithersburg, MD on Nov 19th at 6:30 PM!

Parenting While Healing: Breaking Cycles and Building Connection

Join us for an honest and compassionate conversation about what it means to parent while healing from your own past experiences. This event brings together an inspiring panel of women who have walked the path of personal growth, resilience, and transformation, and who now dedicate their work to helping others do the same.

You will gain practical tools to nurture your child’s emotional health while honoring your own recovery and growth. Together, we will explore how self-awareness, community, and courage can transform not just our parenting but the legacy we pass on.

To Learn More and Register: https://www.sixxcoolmoms.com/event-details/panel-raising-children-while-recovering-from-trauma

And don't forget to say "Hi" to Jaclyn, who will be presenting as one of the panel speakers, while you're there!

ID: Image is of a flyer promoting workshop with information detailing the speakers and information about the workshop. Sixx Cool Moms logo at top of flyer. Text on flyer reads, " Parenting While Healing: Raising Children While Recovering From Trauma.
Join us for an honest and compassionate conversation about what it means to parent while healing from your own past experiences. Learn practical tools to nurture your child's emotional health while honoring your own recovery and growth."
Below text lists the panel speakers and with a photo of each speaker. The speakers include:
> Nicole Hennessy, Certified Life Coach, Therapeutic Art Coach, Meditation & Breathwork Facilitator.
> Monica Blakley, Advocate and Owner of Passion For Ezra.
> Leda Kaveh, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Washington Psychological Wellness
> Jaclyn Halpern, Partner & Clinical Director of Psychology, Playful Therapy Connections.
Flyer also notes that the event will be "Moderated by Jenna Levine Liu." Event details at bottom of flyer read, "November 19th, 2025; 6:30PM - 7:30 PM ET." Location of workshop listed as, "Locally Crafted Workshop, 35 Grand Corner Ave, Gaithersburg, MD"

11/15/2025

11/11/2025

It's a good day in the Frederick office when new Switch controllers arrive to replace the broken ones!

Image ID: two wireless Nintendo switch controllers, one white with Zelda icons and one black and white striped with Fortnite's Cuddle Team Leader. Background is a multicolored dragon print desk pad.

11/07/2025

Meet Emily! Emily Mattison, B.A., Doctoral Extern is one of our newer team members currently serving clients virtually in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware & DC and providing in person testing at our North Bethesda, MD location.

Emily joins PTC with experience supporting clients across the lifespan through individual therapy, neuropsychological assessment and crisis support. Before entering the mental health field she worked in the tech industry to make digital tools more user-friendly. During this career, she felt a pull towards deeper connection and purpose through her experience with supporting people in crisis through a national hotline. This draw led her to the world of therapy! In her current work, she draws from cognitive-behavior, narrative, and attachment-based approaches with a special interest in working with people healing from relational and interpersonal harm. She works to create a warm, grounded space for her clients to feel safe to explore their stories and relationships. Emily believes that seeking support doesn't mean there is something "wrong" with you. Instead therapy can be a helpful resource to better understand yourself, navigate hard times, or to help you feel more like yourself again.

Outside the office, Emily is likely to be found near the water or on a yoga mat. She enjoys kayaking, boating, and discovering new beach spots near the Chesapeake bay. She is also in a movie club and enjoys spending time with friends watching & discussing films.

To read more about Emily's experience & expertise, you can check out her bio here: https://playfultherapy.net/meet-emily

To inquire about one of Emily's openings you can schedule a free consultation or contact us here: https://playfultherapy.net/contact
ID: Yellow background with light yellow spotlight streaks coming from top corners. Light blue text box in top center of image with dark blue text reading "Meet our Team!" Light yellow rounded text box on left side of image with black text reading "Emily Mattison, B.A., Doctoral Extern (she/her) CLINICAL COUNSELOR, LEVEL 1" Underneath is a light blue text box with dark blue text reading "Serving Maryland, Virginia, DC & Delaware Clients." Playful therapy connections logo in bottom left corner of image. Digitally drawn portrait of Emily on right side of image with light purple background & white frame. Under portrait is black text reading "Portrait by Nathan McConnell."