Child and Parenting Therapist
Having big emotions at school? Acting impulsively, melting down, or wondering why you feel the way you do? Many children react from their reptile brain, meaning their instincts take over before their thinking brain, executive functioning, has a chance to guide them. As therapists in your area and in Katy, Texas, we understand that children don’t always have the words to explain how they feel. Play is their natural language, how they learn, communicate, and make sense of their world. Through guided, ABA-informed play, children ages 3 to 12 develop skills to manage frustration, regulate big emotions, and build healthy coping strategies in a safe, supportive environment. As parenting and family systems therapists, we consider the whole family context, meeting each child where they are developmentally and fostering meaningful growth, healing, and positive behavioral change tailored to their unique needs.
What is Play Therapy? Helping Children Thrive Through Play
Children naturally express themselves and make sense of the world through play. Play therapy leverages this natural language to give children a safe space to explore feelings, practice coping skills, and build emotional and social understanding, all at their own pace.
Different play-based approaches help children in unique ways:
Art Therapy: Uses drawing, painting, and creativity to help children process feelings they may struggle to put into words.
Attachment-Based Play: Strengthens the parent-child bond and builds secure, trusting relationships.tem
Sand Tray Therapy: Lets children create miniature worlds to safely express thoughts and emotions.
Movement and Experiential Play: Engages the body to release tension, regulate emotions, and build self-awareness.
Through play therapy, children learn to manage emotions, solve problems, and develop healthy relationships. Parents and family members are often included to support progress, reinforce skills at home, and strengthen connections.
The result? Children gain confidence, emotional insight, and the tools to navigate life’s challenges, all while having fun and feeling understood.
understanding
What is Behavior?
Behavior is a form of communication. In counseling, we help parents understand that changes in a child or teen’s behavior often reflect unmet emotional needs, stress, or difficulty expressing feelings. Behaviors such as withdrawal, irritability, defiance, regression, or changes in sleep, mood, or school performance are common responses to transitions, stress, or family changes like divorce or separation.
Rather than labeling behavior as “good” or “bad,” counseling focuses on understanding what the behavior is trying to communicate and teaching healthier ways to cope, regulate emotions, and feel secure. Consistent support, emotional safety, and clear boundaries help children and teens feel understood and supported as they grow.
Behavior Therapy
Children may struggle with strong emotions, impulsive reactions, or challenging behaviors, which can feel overwhelming for the whole family. After parents provide background information about their child, I begin with a therapeutic behavioral assessment to understand their child’s unique needs and what might be influencing their behavior at home, at school, or in other settings. With your permission, I may also gather input from teachers or other adults to get a full picture and guide therapy planning.
When therapy is recommended, I use guided play to help your child manage frustration, regulate emotions, and build coping skills in a safe, supportive environment. By understanding what drives your child’s behavior, you’ll gain practical strategies to reduce challenging behaviors and encourage positive interactions at home.
This approach helps families establish calmer, healthier routines while equipping children with skills they can use every day. You’ll receive guidance, support, and hands-on tools to help your child thrive at home, at school, and beyond.
- Behavioral assessments
- ABA-informed strategies and guided play
- Parent coaching