PLAY AND EXPRESSIVE THERAPIES IN BRYN MAWR, CHESNUT HILL, AND ONLINE

Creative Therapies for Children

“Enter into children’s play, and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, and soul meet” - Virginia Axeline

Seeing your child wrestle with their emotions is heartbreaking, and you long for help that truly speaks to them.

Perhaps your child's emotions have become intense and unpredictable, and behaviors that once seemed out of character are now becoming regular occurrences. The smallest things seem to send them into a downward spiral, with ever bigger blow-ups and meltdowns.

They're struggling to make and keep friends, don't want to go to school, and nighttimes are fraught with wake-ups and nightmares. You’ve noticed changes in their appetite, and complaints of headaches or stomachaches are more frequent. You're getting reports that they’re not engaging in lessons, and others are starting to comment that something isn’t quite right.

Whether your child is withdrawn and retreating to their room, clinging to you tearfully, or acting out in increasingly confrontational ways, it’s clear to you that something needs to change. Whether you have a clear sense of what’s affecting them—like trauma, divorce, grief, or a new sibling—or you're unsure of the cause but know something isn’t right, we’re here to help.

How we Help

We are proud to offer a uniquely wide range of expressive therapies that offer children a feeling of safety, grounding, connection, & mastery in the language of play that best speaks to them.

Play & Expressive Therapies

  • Children speak the language of play and the toys are their words. When children use play and creative arts therapies, they are able to create a safe psychological distance from their problems and work out what is troubling them.

    Through play and other creative arts modalities, like sandtray therapy, art, music and attachment-based play therapy interventions, children and families can heal in a safe space. Play Therapy is the most developmentally appropriate modality for children that:

    • Strengthens relationships

    • Elevates self-esteem

    • Offers a safe space to work out challenges and problem solve them effectively

    • Develops new and creative solutions to problems

    • Cultivates empathy and raises self esteem.

    Digital Play Therapy: Transforming Healing with Innovative Tools

    In the ever-evolving world of therapy, digital play therapy has emerged as a powerful tool to support emotional and psychological healing for children and individuals of all ages. Combining the timeless benefits of play therapy with cutting-edge digital tools, this approach offers an immersive, engaging, and effective therapeutic experience. Whether using virtual reality, virtual sandtray, or other digital platforms, digital play therapy opens a world of possibilities for emotional growth, self-expression, and healing.

  • Sandtray therapy is a powerful tool for working with children, adults, couples, & families. Sand therapy offers a safe psychological distance from problems.

    It is a full sensory experience that connects the conscious and unconscious mind. Through the creation of sand trays - clients can go deeper into the healing process and find the inner resources to overcome obstacles.

  • Movement is the essence of humanity. We learn, feel, and relate to the world through our bodies. We communicate nonverbally everyday, and research indicates that early-childhood experiences are held within our nervous systems.

    Therefore, therapeutic interventions that focus on cognition and behavior alone are not always effective in addressing all that our hearts and bodies need.

    Dance/Movement Therapy (D/MT) uses movement as a developmental tool to connect with, assess, and process our experiences. Trust and safety are established with non-verbal attunement, rhythm, play, and repetition. Children's passions are used to highlight strengths and elicit meaningful metaphors and imagery. 

    Dance/Movement Therapy can help children and families:

    • Safely connect to their bodies and environment. 

    • Develop self-awareness and empowerment.

    • Enhance emotional awareness and expression.

    • Learn strategies to calm and regulate their bodies.

    • Develop impulse-control techniques.

    • Mobilize coping capacities.

    • Develop social resources for more authentic relationships.

  • Art therapy is a unique approach that harnesses the power of creativity to promote self-expression, self-discovery, and healing. It provides a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences through various artistic mediums, such as painting, drawing, sculpture, fiber arts, printmaking, sewing,  and more.

    Each art medium has varying benefits and effects on our cognition, emotions, and sensory experiences. Art therapy is suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of artistic skill.

    Whether you're dealing with mental health challenges, coping with trauma, navigating life transitions, or simply seeking personal growth and self-care, art therapy can be a valuable resource on your journey.

    How Art Therapy Can Help Your Child:

    • Emotional Release: Expressing yourself through art can help release pent-up emotions and provide relief from stress, anxiety, and trauma.

    • Self-Exploration: Art therapy enables you to delve into your inner world, gain insights into your thoughts and feelings, and foster self-awareness.

    • Self-Expression: For those who find it challenging to express themselves verbally, art therapy offers an alternative  means of communication.

    • Stress Reduction: Engaging in creative activities can be a soothing and calming experience, reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

    • Problem-Solving: Art therapy can assist you in finding creative solutions to life's challenges and dilemmas

  • Music Therapy

    We are musical beings, as reflected in the rhythm of our breath, stride, and voice. When we struggle physically, mentally, or emotionally, our bodily rhythm can fall out of sync. Music Therapy, an evidence-based practice, helps restore balance by connecting clients with themselves and others.

    Through techniques like song-writing, lyric analysis, song re-creation, and improvisation, music therapists use the iso-principle to match a client's current state and guide them to a more supported one. This approach enhances communication, socialization, and emotional development, promotes healthy decision-making, reduces stress, and aids in trauma healing. It also improves motor functioning, memory, impulse control, and self-worth, while managing pain and sensory issues.

Trauma-focused Therapies

  • Trauma can shape the way children think, feel, and navigate the world. TF-CBT is an evidence-based approach designed to help children and adolescents process traumatic experiences in a structured and supportive way.

    This integrative model combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with psychoeducation, relaxation strategies, and creative expression to foster healing. By addressing both thoughts and emotions, TF-CBT empowers children to reframe their experiences, regain a sense of safety, and build resilience.

    Through gradual exposure and skill-building, TF-CBT helps children and families:

    • Understand trauma and its impact on thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

    • Develop coping strategies for managing distress and emotional triggers.

    • Strengthen relaxation and self-regulation skills.

    • Challenge and reframe unhelpful thoughts.

    • Process traumatic memories in a safe and structured way.

    • Improve communication and strengthen family support systems.

    • Build confidence and restore a sense of control over their lives.

    With the right support, children can heal from trauma and move forward with greater emotional strength, self-awareness, and hope.

  • Children thrive in relationships where they feel seen, safe, and connected. Theraplay is an attachment-based, play-focused therapy designed to strengthen the parent-child bond, build trust, and enhance emotional security.

    Rooted in the principles of joyful, attuned interactions, Theraplay engages children and caregivers in structured, nurturing, and playful activities that foster connection and co-regulation. By integrating touch, eye contact, and shared experiences, Theraplay helps children feel valued and understood.

    Theraplay can help children and families:

    • Strengthen attachment and build secure relationships.

    • Develop trust and emotional safety within the family.

    • Increase self-esteem and confidence.

    • Enhance emotional regulation and impulse control.

    • Foster joy, connection, and playfulness in relationships.

    • Support children who have experienced trauma, loss, or early disruptions in attachment.

    • Improve communication and cooperation between parents and children.

    Through warmth, structure, and play, Theraplay nurtures the foundation for healthy relationships, helping children feel safe, loved, and capable of navigating the world with confidence.

  • Trauma and distressing experiences can become stuck in a child’s mind and body, impacting emotions, behaviors, and self-perception. EMDR is a research-supported therapy that helps children process these experiences and build resilience.

    EMDR uses bilateral stimulation—such as guided eye movements, tapping, or sounds—to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional charge and making them feel less overwhelming. Through this structured approach, children can integrate difficult experiences in a safe and supportive way.

    EMDR can help children and families:

    • Reduce the emotional intensity of traumatic memories.

    • Develop healthy coping strategies for stress and anxiety.

    • Strengthen emotional regulation and self-soothing skills.

    • Shift negative self-beliefs toward more positive, empowering ones.

    • Improve sleep, concentration, and overall well-being.

    • Increase resilience and confidence in handling future challenges.

    • Foster a greater sense of safety and control over emotions and experiences.

    By gently guiding children through their healing journey, EMDR helps release the weight of past trauma, allowing them to move forward with greater ease, confidence, and emotional freedom.

OUR APPROACH

We take the work of play and creativity seriously.

Children often struggle to express themselves with words; play, in all its forms, is their natural language—where toys, music, art, and movement serve as their words. These creative outlets provide children with a safe space to express their inner thoughts and feelings, strengthen their internal resources, and discover coping strategies and solutions, all in ways that are developmentally appropriate. Read below for more on our approach and philosophy underpinning all our child therapies.

  • We view a child’s struggles as a signal of what’s going on inside. If their intensity is ignored or silenced, it can lead to bigger struggles—both internal and external.

    Yet when we understand and embrace their intensity in positive ways, we help children grow into leaders and changemakers. Our approach nurtures a resilient "I can" mindset, shifting the focus from limitations to growth, possibility, and empowerment.

  • At Main Line Play Therapy, we lead with curiosity. We see behaviour as a source of information and an invitation to uncover what your child—and sometimes the entire family—is grappling with.

    By approaching behaviours with curiosity and compassion, we gain deeper insight into your child’s inner world: their challenges, needs, and the skills they need our support to develop. Equipped with these insights, we create space to help children and families move beyond their present struggles.

  • Extensive research now tells us that the childhood years are remarkable periods of development, as their brains are rapidly wiring and laying down the foundations of their body’s regulatory abilities. Many children come to us with nervous system vulnerabilities arising from a number of factors including stress, trauma, neurodivergence, or neuroimmune disorders. 

    Whatever the underlying reason, we take a whole-child approach and start by nurturing your child’s nervous system and its ability to regulate their body and emotions from the ground up, before building toward higher-level cognitive skills. This approach fosters lasting change in children, enabling children to grow, connect, cope, and have brains wired for greater balance and resilience.

“Birds fly, fish swim, and children play”
— Gary Landreth

Our Specialties

  • Anxiety & OCD

  • ADD/ADHD

  • Depression/Aggression

  • Trauma (including sexual, physical, and medical trauma)​

  • Parenting Intense Children

  • Autism

  • Separation & Divorce

  • Attachment & Adoption

  • Increasing Self-Esteem and Resiliency

  • Sensory Processing Disorder

  • Grief and Loss

  • Adjusting to a new sibling

  • Life transitions

  • LGBTQIA+

FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand that considering therapy for your child can bring up a lot of questions. To help, we’ve answered some of the most common ones here.

If there’s anything else you’re wondering about, check out our FAQ page and don’t hesitate to get in touch with us!

  • If your child is experiencing big emotions, behavioral challenges, anxiety, difficulty in school or friendships, or struggling with a major life change, therapy can provide support.  Being a kid can be tough, and sometimes it feels like too much.

    Every child faces challenges, but if you notice persistent struggles that impact daily life, professional guidance can help them develop coping skills, build confidence, and feel more secure.

    Not sure if therapy is the right step? We offer a free consultation to discuss your concerns and explore the best path forward. Reach out—we’re here to help!

  • Think of the brain like a muscle—the more you practice, the stronger and more resilient you become. Weekly therapy is often recommended as regular sessions provide consistent support to build skills, process emotions, and strengthen the connections in the brain, leading to lasting change.

    While most sessions are held once a week, frequency can vary based on your child’s needs. Some children may benefit from more frequent sessions at first, while others may transition to biweekly or as-needed sessions over time.

    Your therapist will collaborate with you to find the right schedule and adjust as needed to ensure therapy remains effective and supportive for your child’s growth.

  • We believe in working with the whole family using an attachment-based approach to foster safety, bonding, resiliency, and understanding. Therapy provides a special one-on-one time for you and your child, away from daily life pressures.

    Ideally, both parents should be involved, and if schedules allow, alternating drop-offs can be beneficial. We view therapy as a team effort between children, parents, and therapists, and your involvement is key to success.

    How we involve parents:

    • Collaborative Communication: Share insights with the therapist to guide the treatment. Ideally, your therapist will check-in for parent sessions once a month or as needed.

    • Support at Home: Parent coaching and collaborative problem-solving with you, your child, and therapist to create strategies to reinforce therapy goals in daily life.

    • Family Dynamics: In some cases, family therapy may address home-life issues.

    Your support is essential, and we’re here to help every step of the way.

Reach Out Today

Reach Out Today

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Transforming struggles into strengths, together.