Play Therapy

Play is a child's natural language and thus is central to their self-expression and healing. Play therapy is the primary modality used in my work with young children, as children express themselves more fully and directly through spontaneous play than back-and-forth conversation. Children do not have the capacity to convey what they feel through words alone. Through play therapy, children "play out" their experiences, traumas, and feelings and resolve inner conflict.

Through this medium of play therapy, Gillian Tuyp Counselling will support your child's self-expression and healing while weaving in additional skills, approaches, and interventions based on their specific needs. Allowing them to experience nurturing and healthy attachment experiences buffers any pain, stress, and loss they might be facing and ultimately leads to greater resiliency.

Parents are not just encouraged, but also play a crucial role in the counseling process. Their participation in parent support while their child engages in counselling often leads to the best results. This involvement is a testament to the shared responsibility in the journey towards their child's healing and well-being.

Play therapy is most effective when conducted in-person. The office is conveniently located in the Fairview neighbourhood, which is accessible to those living in Kitsilano, Mt. Pleasant, Marpole, East Vancouver Cambie and Point Grey.