When Your Child Is Struggling, You Don’t Have to Face It Alone: Play Therapy in Denver, CO

You didn’t picture therapy being part of your parenting journey—but lately, things have felt harder than they should. Your child is struggling — maybe it’s explosive outbursts, total shutdowns, constant defiance, or simply not being able to participate in everyday routines. You've worked so hard to create consistency, set expectations, and give your child the tools to succeed… but nothing seems to be working the way it should.

Some days, you lose count of how many meltdowns or moments of defiance happened before noon. Other days, you find yourself wondering where your joyful, playful child went — the one now hiding behind withdrawal, zoning out, or shutting down. You get frustrated when you ask what is going on and get no response. Maybe they’re too young to put their feelings into words, or maybe they just won’t open up right now. Either way, you’re here because you care deeply, and you know something needs to change. The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone.

And what makes it even harder? The challenges are not just at home!

For a while, you told yourself it was just a phase—that with time and patience, things would get better. But now your child is going to childcare/or school, navigating playdates, and trying to find their place in a world that doesn’t always feel made for them. You’re watching them struggle in ways other kids don’t seem to—and it’s breaking your heart.

You’ve heard the sideways comments from family. You’ve sat through daycare or school meetings that left you feeling ashamed, helpless, or even judged. Maybe you’ve argued with your partner about how to handle it, or started dreading drop-off and pick-up because you’re bracing for another report of “what went wrong today”. Every time your phone rings and you see the caller ID indicating childcare or school, a cold chill runs down your spine. “Here we go again”! You’ve even brought it up with your child’s pediatrician. And while their advice may have been well-meaning, deep down, you know...

Your child needs more. Your family needs more. And that’s where play therapy comes in.

Your Child’s Behavior Is Communication — and We’re Here to Listen

You may be wondering, “Can therapy help if my child won’t talk about their feelings?”

The truth is: they don’t need to talk — they need to play.

At our Denver-based practice, we specialize in play therapy — a research-backed approach that helps children process emotions, increase self-awareness, build emotional regulation, and resolve inner conflict, all through developmentally appropriate methods.

We believe:

• Children behave well when they are regulated, connected, and experience felt safety

• Behavior is a form of communication

• Play is the language of children

That’s why in our therapy sessions, your child leads. In the playroom, they’re free to express themselves, explore emotions, and safely work through challenges at a pace that feels right to them. We approach every session with curiosity, wonder, and playful attunement, allowing your child to feel seen, respected, and empowered. We model regulation and move towards the perceived challenges that arise through play.

What Makes Play Therapy So Effective?

It’s not just playing — it’s healing.

When children engage in play therapy, they are rewiring their brains. This isn’t about rewards and consequences or short-term fixes.

It’s about creating lasting internal changes in how your child experiences and interacts with the world.

Through play, your child can:

• Build emotional regulation and resilience

• Reprocess difficult experiences or trauma

• Learn new coping skills

• Improve self-esteem

• Strengthen relationships at home, school, and beyond

While the majority of the work your child does will be non-directive (child-led), our therapists integrate directive (therapist-selected/lead) interventions as well. Directive interventions may include: bibliotherapy, psychoeducation about their brain, feelings, play-based activities that introduce and assist with practicing skills to develop that help them navigate their internal and external experiences. We provide education, support, and strategies to you as the parent to integrate at home to reinforce growth.

Play therapy is about supporting parents, too

We know how isolating and overwhelming this can feel as a parent. That’s why we also prioritize communication and collaboration with you. You’re not just part of the process — you’re an essential piece of your child’s healing.

We’ll help you:

• Understand what’s really going on beneath the behavior

• Learn how to respond in supportive, connection-based ways

• Strengthen your relationship with your child

• Increase your capacity for self-regulation so that you can offer co-regulation when needed

• Feel more confident as a parent again

Let’s Help Your Child (And You) Feel Hopeful Again

You don’t have to keep guessing what to do next. Therapy doesn’t mean something is “wrong” with your child — it means they need support. And you’re courageous enough to reach for it. Together, we’ll help your child feel safe, seen, and supported… so they can thrive.

Serious support- through seriously good play