Giggles & Growth

05/05/2026

https://htrnews.gannettcontests.com/2026-Best-of-the-Lakeshore-Communitys-Choice-Awards/gallery?group=544578

I guess this is where you can vote for me if you scroll down to ‘Counseling’ and choose Giggles & Growth.

I still feel so blindsided 😂 but of course appreciative.

Check out the other cool nominees throughout the Lakeshore area and feel free to vote for them! ✨

Check it out now!

04/24/2026

Somebody wrote in and nominated Giggles & Growth LLC for best counseling center in the Lakeshore Area....

Where are you? I will find you and shower you with love and appreciation. 🥰

03/12/2026

The inspiration behind Giggles & Growth: Randy Freis.

For those that don't know, my Dad passed away on April 5th 2019. He was sick for as long as I can remember and fought like heck for extra time.

Growing up he was always the cheerleader. I mean...I had PLENTY of cheer leaders, but he was team captain. He took me down to Chicago for my previous acting/modeling dream (lol) when I was 12, helped me audition, got me gerbils when Mom said no, would give me all the money in his pocket for anything I needed/desired that was beneficial for my future, supported me traveling across seas at 16, and so much more. I can't even put into words what his love felt like.

At times the grief hits and it feels unfair. At times it all makes sense and it feels peaceful. Every day is different.

From a teenager on he encouraged me to go after my dreams as long as it made me happy and kept me healthy. He kept saying "Alayna, you should be a counselor. Look at all the cool things you can learn, do, and how you would help people! You're a good person, sweetie." I was like nah...

I went through 3 different majors before deciding on Psychology. I graduated and moved and wanted nothing but a break from life and school in 2018 so I moved to Denver, CO.

Unfortunately, he passed away when I was living there. I moved back home and the existentialism hit: Who will I be if I'm not trying my best? What will be my own thoughts on my death bed? What do I want out of this life? How can I make the rest of my time worth while and meaningful?

I then chose to get my Master's in Counseling and throughout that process found my niche working with children and adolescents.

He would have sold his house to help support this business if he was still around. He'd run instead of walk to help me (despite his lung/heart condition). He made me feel like I could walk on water and do anything in the world.

Today is one of the days it feels frustrating he can't see this all. I can silently pray and thank him, but it doesn't always feel like it goes through.

I want to keep his heart and memory alive. He was too good to be forgotten, and he is one of the main reasons I have enough courage to start this type of career.

My dad had some of his own issues, but he was never a bad Father. He was the best. I hope I can make other children feel as loved and as safe as he has made me feel growing up.

People say "Thank you, Alayna. I appreciate you and what you do."

Well, they don't know that I wouldn't be me without him, so send some love up there. He might be busy Giggling & Growing up there, but so are we down here.

I love you, Dad.

03/06/2026

Feeling like a celebrity over here 🤣

Good morning! we have the wonderfully named Giggles & Growth by Alayna! She is based in Kiel @ 317 Fremont St. , Kiel.

Hi, I’m Alayna — Founder Of Giggles & Growth
I’m a certified play therapist with advanced training in Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT). I founded Giggles & Growth to provide children and families with a compassionate, evidence-based space to grow, heal, and thrive. My approach centers on meeting children exactly where they are — through the language they know best: play.
My journey began in elementary schools, where I supported students who were struggling with big emotions, behavioral challenges, or difficult life events. While I loved working in the school environment, I quickly realized that traditional approaches didn’t always reach children in the way they deserved.
That’s when I discovered play therapy — a developmentally appropriate, deeply effective way to help children express themselves, process their experiences, and build confidence from the inside out.
Every child deserves emotional safety, connection, and a place where their voice is heard. That is why I created Giggles & Growth: a warm, welcoming practice where families can find support, clarity, and hope.
https://www.giggles-growth-playtherapy.com/about/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577950163215

02/12/2026

Big feelings can look overwhelming, but they are not misbehaviour — they are messages. When a child struggles to calm, it usually means they haven’t yet been shown how. Regulation is a skill built through connection, modelling and gentle guidance over time.

If you’ve ever felt unsure how to help in those intense moments, you’re not alone. Supporting emotional regulation is something adults can learn too — and when we do, children gain tools that last a lifetime.

My Managing Big Feelings Toolkit walks you through simple, brain-based ways to teach calm, build regulation skills and support a child through emotional storms with confidence.

Managing Big Feelings Toolkit
link in comments below ⬇️ or via Linktree Shop in Bio.

02/12/2026

Play really is enough.

Yes, children will need to learn academics, listen and sit still. But that certainly doesn’t mean that these lessons should be straight-jacketed onto them in the toddler and preschool years. In fact, the funneling down of structured learning is all the more reason to let children play while they can. We must fiercely protect this precious, ever shrinking window of time for our children.⁠
⁠
For more, I'll link "Don’t Let Your Preschoolers Forget How To Play" in the replies!

02/08/2026

https://www.giggles-growth-playtherapy.com/

💃

Giggles & Growth offers individual, group, sibling, and child–parent play therapy to support children’s emotional growth and family connection.

01/22/2026

01/22/2026

Is there anybody in the Kiel area willing to teach a youth client how to weight lift? 🤔 This would be voluntary. I'm unsure of the frequency and the time, however I'm fishing for resources. Thank you!

Send a message to learn more

01/22/2026

Behavior isn’t the problem.

It’s communication.
It’s feedback.
It’s a signal that something is missing.

When we stop trying to “fix” behavior and start meeting unmet needs, everything shifts — regulation improves, skills grow, and behavior changes naturally over time.

Because behavior always makes sense
when you know what it’s responding to.

01/22/2026

Lying isn’t a character flaw.
It’s a safety response.

Kids tell the truth when the truth is safe to tell.
Our job isn’t to demand honesty — it’s to reinforce it.

Make honesty feel safe.