Dr. Emily Keller

01/29/2026

Children are emotional sponges. They pick up on our big feelings even when we are doing our best to hide them. Many of us who work with children are holding big emotions in the playroom lately.

If you are wondering how to talk to your child about news events, reach out for support. You don’t have to do it alone. Therapists are here to help!

01/29/2026

Next week is International Play Therapy Week! Get playful! Celebrate the powers of play therapy with us.

Happy International Play Therapy Week! February 1-7

01/29/2026

I’m so happy to share that Livermore, CA, will be one of four host locations for the World Association of Sand Therapy Professionals hybrid conference. I am so excited to welcome you to this lovely town.







California Association for Play Therapy
World Association of Sand Therapy Professionals

WASTP 2026 Conference — Location Reveal #4
📍 Livermore / Pleasanton, California

✨ Sand Across the Globe ✨
One conference. Many pathways in.

Our final live location for the WASTP 2026 Conference is:

📍 Livermore / Pleasanton, California
📅 June 26–27, 2026

With four live locations and virtual + partial attendance options, this year’s conference is built for flexibility, accessibility, and connection.

If you’ve been waiting to see whether a location is near you—this is your sign to start planning.
📌 Registration and training details will be released February 2026.

For now, mark your calendar and stay tuned.
We can’t wait to share more.

01/29/2026

Emotional regulation is learned in relationship.

01/29/2026

A sign to switch it up! 💫

01/28/2026

Knowing what to say helps.

Words That Grow With Them

Positive affirmations are more than kind phrases, they are building blocks for a child’s inner voice.

In the short term, affirmations help children feel seen, safe, and supported during everyday challenges.

Hearing “I believe in you,” or “Your feelings matter,” can quickly lower anxiety and boost confidence.

These words help children regulate emotions and feel secure in their relationship with their caregiver.

Over time, repeated affirmations become the way children talk to themselves.

In the long term, this shapes self-esteem, resilience, and emotional intelligence.

Children who grow up with affirming language are more likely to take healthy risks and recover from setbacks.

They learn that effort matters more than perfection.

Positive affirmations also strengthen attachment by reinforcing unconditional love.

When challenges arise later in life, children draw on these internalized messages for strength.

What we say today becomes the voice they carry with them into adulthood.

01/28/2026

Lecturing comes so naturally to adults. Experiment with connection first. Then correction.

This is good advice.

01/28/2026

Let us support you in the art and practice of parenting.

I believe this with my whole heart. 💛

01/28/2026

Sandtray in Oregon!

WASTP 2026 Conference — Location Reveal #3
📍 Beaverton, Oregon

✨ Sand Across the Globe ✨
Connection doesn’t require one place.

We’re excited to announce our third live location for the WASTP 2026 Conference:

📍 Beaverton, Oregon
📅 June 26–27, 2026

This conference is designed to meet you where you are—
✔️ In person
✔️ Virtual
✔️ Partial attendance options available

Over the next few days, all locations will be revealed so you can plan ahead.
📆 Full registration and training details coming February 2026.

Save the dates and keep an eye out—one more location still to come.

01/28/2026

01/28/2026

Some age-appropriate advice about children and violent events on the news.

01/28/2026