Stephanie Broadaway, LCSW, Registered Play Therapist

09/05/2025

Excited to attend the virtual training for SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) today and Monday, and to add this to my treatment toolbox at my practice!

04/26/2025

Collected several new miniatures to use in the sandtray in my playroom!

04/25/2025

Ready for 2 days of Play Therapy learning at the Florida Association for Play Therapy conference in Orlando!

04/23/2025

We’re often quick to correct, but real change starts when a child feels seen, heard, and safe. Behaviour shifts when there's connection. Lead with empathy, not just discipline.
"Connection changes behaviour more than correction ever will."

More information in my book
Guidance from The Therapist Parent
Available on my website www.thetherapistparent.com and Amazon

02/19/2025

✨Excited to freshen up my play therapy space with new paint and art! ✨

10/18/2024

🌱❤️ Hurricane Support Post ❤️🌱

In the last month, our community has experienced weather and storms that many of us have never been through- and our children have experienced these storms with us. Today I am sharing some resources from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network that parents can utilize to help their children process what they have seen, heard and experienced.

🌱 The first is a beautiful story that parents can read with their children- Trinka and Sam: The Rainy Windy Day from the South Carolina Infant Mental Health Association. This story was specifically written to support families who have been through serious hurricanes, and is available as a video:
https://youtu.be/tstBuU8JFG4

🌱 For tips for helping children after disasters, visit: https://bit.ly/3NjYUNO

🌱 For tips for helping teens after disasters, visit: https://bit.ly/4fgmYNB

🌱 “How should my child be reacting after a storm? Is this normal? How can I help my child?” This handout will help you answer these questions: https://bit.ly/3Byxhhr

🌱 Lastly, if you as a parent are struggling with your own emotions and stress, please know there are people available to help. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has a help line at 211 where you can access information and resources, as well as gain immediate emotional support.

08/16/2024

Back to school time is here! Here are a handful of ways we can help our kids and ourselves with this transition:

⏰ Create Routines- Wake up, bedtime and reconnection rituals (at pick up) are great ways to build routines into our school days.

📚 Help Manage Homework- Helping with the organization of homework at the beginning of the school year lets our kids know the expectations and creates a framework for kids to be better self managers.

💻 Connect with Educators: It isn’t too early to send an email to your child’s teacher(s) and open the lines of communication.

🧘 Practice Relaxation Exercises: Be a model for your child! Breathing exercises, guided meditation, and sleep stories are all great ways to calm our minds and our bodies.

🥰 Be Aware and Supportive: Listen and connect to your child on a daily basis. Tuning into their feelings and validating their experiences sends them the message that we understand and we care.

🥗 Eat Healthy Foods: Keep easy to grab healthy snacks on hand for lunches, after school and homework time. Engage your kids in eating healthy by having them help you pack their lunch, or pack their own lunches.

08/02/2024

Let’s normalize prioritizing our mental health first and foremost!

Three little words that say so much!
Simone Biles advocacy for mental health is everything 💚

06/28/2024

☀️☀️☀️ Friday Favorite!! ☀️☀️☀️

Ah, the dog days of summer, aren’t they wonderful?? For parents, they can be wonderful, but also exhausting! In the summer, much of our structure can go out the window since school is out and schedules change. Implementing daily routines can increase structure and decrease stress for parents and kids alike! Something as small as a predictable morning activity, or a connecting nightly ritual, can help create structure and connection in the summertime.
💕 Thank you to for this great graphic of the benefits of routines for children, all year round!

06/21/2024

So excited to see Inside Out 2 this evening and meet all of the new feelings! Thank you to the fantastic .damour for contributing to this movie!

06/16/2024

Thank you for sharing this, .
Celebrating dads and all nurturing parent figures today- and thank you for putting in the work to model for your kids that their potential is limitless. 💙

06/05/2024

Parents of teens and tweens — here are 5 common pitfalls to start avoiding TODAY. If you can steer clear of these common mistakes, you’ll forge through the teen and tween years with finesse!