06/16/2025
🧠💛 Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health Through Play 💛🧠
Allison Wallace LCSW, Registered Play Therapist
Sager Creek Counseling Collective
As parents and caregivers, we all want our children to grow up feeling safe, confident, and emotionally healthy. But in today’s busy and often overwhelming world, many kids struggle with big feelings they don’t yet have the tools to express. That’s where play therapy comes in.
At Sager Creek Counseling Collective, I work with children through play — their natural language — to help them process emotions, work through challenges, and build resilience. As a Registered Play Therapist, I’ve seen how small, intentional moments at home can make a big difference in a child’s mental well-being.
Here are four powerful ways to support your child’s emotional health:
🌟 1. Read a Story About Change
Books are a gentle way to introduce hard topics. Whether it’s moving to a new home, starting a new school, or adjusting to a divorce, stories about change help kids feel seen and understood. Reading together opens the door for meaningful conversations and emotional connection.
🌈 2. Allow Time for One-on-One Play
Even 15 minutes of undistracted playtime with your child each day can strengthen your bond and give them a safe space to express themselves. Follow their lead, let go of expectations, and just be present. It tells your child, “You matter. Your world matters.”
🕒 3. Keep a Structured Routine
Routines help kids feel safe and secure, especially during uncertain times. Predictability builds trust and reduces anxiety. Try to maintain consistent mealtimes, bedtimes, and transitions — even a simple visual schedule can work wonders.
💌 4. Practice an “I Love You” Ritual
These are small, meaningful actions that show love and safety. A special handshake, a note in their lunchbox, or a consistent bedtime phrase can provide comfort and emotional security. Rituals are especially helpful during separations or transitions.
Remember, kids don’t always have the words to say what they’re feeling — but through play, they show us. If your child is struggling with anxiety, behavior issues, or big life changes, play therapy can offer a gentle, effective path forward.
If you’d like to learn more or are ready to begin your child’s journey to healing, I’d love to help. Reach out to me at Sager Creek Counseling Collective — where kids’ emotions are honored, one playful moment at a time. 💚
(405)-355-80807
608 S Hico St. Siloam Springs, AR
www.sagercreekcounselingcollective.org