CACTS Counseling

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United States
Swansea, IL
CACTS Counseling

CACTS Counseling specializes in treating children, adolescents, young adults, and their families.

02/25/2026

Darren, Rita, and Steph went out into the community today to talk about social work, counseling and private practice with current students from UMSL. Excited to share our passion for kids and mental health with others!

02/23/2026

Imaginary play is one of the most powerful tools in play therapy. 🌈

When kids pretend, they’re often working through emotions, testing solutions, and making sense of their world — all while feeling safe and in control of the story.

It may look like make-believe, but the feelings behind it are very real.

Through imaginary play, kids practice:
• Emotional regulation
• Perspective-taking
• Flexible thinking
• Confidence and creativity

02/19/2026

Kids notice our energy more than our words. Staying calm during their big emotions tells their nervous system: It’s okay. You’re safe.

02/17/2026

Happy birthday to our favorite girl, Cocoa! We love you!

02/16/2026

The dollhouse is one of the most meaningful tools in play therapy. 🏠

It gives children a safe way to explore relationships, routines, and feelings through storytelling. Kids can express what feels confusing or overwhelming while staying in control of the scene.

Play allows children to show us what matters — without needing the right words.

Through dollhouse play, kids practice:
• Understanding relationships
• Perspective-taking
• Emotional regulation
• Storytelling and meaning-making

02/14/2026

Valentine’s Day isn’t just about cards and candy — it’s about feeling loved, seen, and safe.

For kids, love looks like being listened to when they’re upset, being comforted when they’re overwhelmed, and being accepted just as they are. Those moments matter more than anything you could buy.

Here’s to raising kids who know they are worthy of love — on Valentine’s Day and every day. 💕

02/11/2026

After a long day, kids need space to downshift, not more demands.

Quiet connection, predictable routines, and a little time before homework helps their nervous system reset so they can regulate, connect, and grow.

Big emotions at home = trust in action.

02/09/2026

Art supplies and paint give children a voice — even when words feel hard to find. 🎨

In play therapy, art supports emotional expression, regulation, and self-understanding. Kids often gravitate toward creative tools because they offer freedom, safety, and a way to release feelings through movement and color.

During art-making, therapists may notice:
• Emotional themes or patterns
• Energy levels (fast, slow, intense, careful)
• How kids handle mistakes or changes
• Regulation through repetitive movement

Sometimes healing happens in brushstrokes, not sentences.

02/05/2026

Screens aren’t the problem —
transitions are.

When kids go from fast, bright, and exciting straight into expectations, their nervous system goes into fight-or-flight.

That’s when you see:
• yelling
• refusal
• tears
• shutdown

Try adding a connection + calming bridge instead of going straight from screen to rules.

Small shifts create big peace 💛

Save this for tonight’s screen-time transition
and follow for more calm parenting tools.

02/02/2026

Building bricks and Legos are more than a toy in the playroom. 🧱

For many kids, building provides a sense of calm, control, and focus — especially when emotions feel hard to explain. Lego play supports regulation, problem-solving, and persistence, even during quiet moments.

Sometimes the most meaningful work happens while hands are busy.

During Lego play, therapists may notice:
• How a child handles frustration or mistakes
• Persistence vs. avoidance
• Themes of control, repair, or rebuilding
• Regulation through repetitive movement

01/29/2026

Kids don’t have “too many feelings.”
They have feelings that are still learning how to be understood.

Big emotions are part of development — not something to fix, rush, or shame. When adults slow down and stay curious, kids learn they don’t have to carry their feelings alone.

01/26/2026

Puppets are one of the most loved tools in the playroom — and for good reason.

They give kids a safe way to express feelings without the pressure of talking directly. When a puppet speaks, kids often share things they don’t yet have words for on their own.

Through play, children practice communication, problem-solving, and emotional understanding — all while feeling in control and safe.

When children use puppets, therapists may notice:
• Themes about friendships or family
• Feelings that haven’t been spoken aloud
• Power dynamics and boundaries
• Coping strategies in action

Play is the language. Puppets help us listen.

Address

24 Bronze Pointe North
Swansea, IL
62226

Telephone

+16182072547

Website

http://www.cactscounseling.com/

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