Where Words Fall Short, Play Helps Children Heal
At Step by Step Counseling, we specialize in Play Therapy—a powerful, evidence-based approach that helps children express emotions, reduce stress, and build coping skills through play. Serving families in person in St. Charles and Olivette, Missouri, as well as in-home throughout the Saint Louis metro area our Play Therapists create a safe, creative space where children can work through challenges and rediscover joy.
Why Play Therapy Works
“Fish swim, birds fly, children play.” — Dr. Gary Landreth, Founder of the Center for Play Therapy
Children don’t always have the words to describe what’s going on inside. That’s where play comes in.
Through toys, games, art, and imagination, children can express what words can’t. In our Play Therapy rooms, kids learn to manage big feelings, recover from difficult experiences, and feel more confident in themselves all while doing what comes naturally: playing.
Our Approach: Step by Step
Every family’s story is unique. Our process is designed to meet you right where you are.
Step 1: Parent Intake (Caregiver-Only Session)
Your journey starts with a meeting between you and one of our therapists, without your child present. We’ll learn about your child’s history, behaviors, and current struggles, then collaborate on a treatment plan that aligns with your family’s needs.
Step 2: Early Sessions (Assessment & Connection)
Your child’s therapist focuses on relationship-building and understanding how your child uses play to communicate. We observe developmental patterns and begin working on the goals created during your intake.
Step 3: Consistent Play Therapy Sessions
Healing happens through consistency. Weekly sessions at the same time each week help children feel secure and allow the therapeutic process to take root.
What Play Therapy Helps With
Play Therapy supports children who are struggling with:
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Anxiety, stress, or separation worries
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Emotional outbursts, meltdowns, or withdrawal
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Grief, trauma, or big life transitions
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ADHD, Autism, or sensory regulation challenges
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Low confidence, self-esteem, or friendship issues
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Behavioral challenges at home or school
What You’ll See Over Time
Parents often tell us they notice:
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Fewer power struggles and meltdowns
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More emotional awareness and self-control
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Stronger relationships at home
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Increased empathy and confidence
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A happier, more regulated child
When children feel understood, they no longer need to act out to be heard. Play therapy gives them the tools to express, release, and rebuild.
Real Words of Wisdom
Some of Jennie’s favorite quotes in regards to play therapy:
- “Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning.” Diane Ackerman – Contemporary American author
- “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation” Plato – 427–347 BC
- “The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world, there hasn’t been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.” – Pablo Casals
- “Play is the highest form of research” Albert Einstein
- “Play is our brain’s favorite way of learning.” Dianne Ackerman
- “Letting Children go out and play is one of the best things that parents can do for their health.” Professor Roger Mackett
Play therapy isn’t just about fun, it’s about helping your child build emotional strength, trust, and resilience one playful moment at a time.
Take the First Step
If your child is struggling with big feelings, behavior changes, or stress they can’t express, play therapy can help.
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