AutPlay Therapy

AutPlay® Therapy was created by Dr. Robert Jason Grant. It is a neurodiversity affirming framework for implementing play therapy. The AutPlay framework is neurodiversity paradigm informed and designed to help child and play therapists address the mental health needs of neurodivergent children ages 3-18 (autistic children, those with ADHD, social anxiety, sensory differences, learning differences, and developmental and physical disabilities).

You can find more information at AutPlay® Therapy Website

Play Therapy

Play Therapy is defined by APT as “the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained Play Therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development.”

Play Therapy should only be provided by mental health professionals who have met the required education, licensure, and additional specialized training and supervision specific to Play Therapy. (-Association for Play Therapy)

Play Therapy isn’t Just Play

Play Therapy is not the same as regular, everyday play. While spontaneous play is a natural and essential part of the developmental process, Play Therapy is a systematic and therapeutic approach. Play Therapists are licensed mental health professionals with extensive training, supervision, and education in Play Therapy. Play Therapy incorporates a growing number of evidence-based practices and techniques (SAMSHA, 2014), and should only be utilized by specially trained mental health professionals.

While some Play Therapists do not possess a specialized Play Therapy credential, a Registered Play Therapist (RPT), Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S), or School Based-Registered Play Therapist (SB-RPT) are those professionals who have met the stringent standards set by APT to become a credentialed Play Therapist. Ask to see the Play Therapist’s certificate that he or she meets the requirements and is in good standing with the Association for Play Therapy. (-Association for Play Therapy)

You can find more information at The Association for Play Therapy (a4pt.org)

Sandtray

While a methodology that most think is play, Sandtray can be a really powerful experience. Sand subconsciously grounds us. Often we have feelings we either don’t recognize or can’t verbalize. Using sand and figures, we allow your mind to express what is going on without saying any words. Sandtray can be used with ages 5 and older and is most helpful when you just can’t put words to what is going on. The process is abstract and requires specialized training to interpret the subtle elements of sandtray therapy. Our trained and certified professionals can assist you on this journey.

Elements of EMDR

Our eyes have a direct connection and strong influence over our brain. Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing(EMDR) was founded by Francine Shapiro. EMDR is evidence based and highly useful to assist those that have experienced trauma and can be an extremely powerful tool to help you retrain your brain. While our therapists are going through this extensive education to become EMDR Certified, Elements of EMDR can be used to assist people wanting to heal their trauma.

Trauma Informed

Trauma informed therapy allows us to use a combination of techniques to achieve even better results. Using EMDR, Sandtray, and other methods, our counselors have the knowledge, training, and background to think of your trauma and assist with your healing journey.

Solution Focused

Solution focused therapy is useful for those who are do well with setting goals. We help you identify and clarify your goals.

Cognitive Behavioral

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you get out of the thought process that has you going in a loop in the wrong direction. Our therapists can assist you with learning the techniques to identify where your loop is and applying these techniques you can break free of them to real healing.