Help Your Child Heal and Thrive Through Play Therapy Winter Park serving Altamonte Springs, Maitland & downtown Orlando Florida

Do you find yourself worrying about your child’s sudden mood swings, outbursts, or withdrawal? Are they acting out at school, struggling to make friends, or shutting down when you try to talk? As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to see your child in distress but not know how to help.

Children often communicate through behavior, not words—and when emotions become too big to handle, they need a safe way to express them. That’s where play therapy makes a difference. At Total Life Counseling in Winter Park, our play therapy includes interactive, creative techniques to help children process their feelings naturally and non-threateningly.

Through imaginative play, art, and storytelling, our trained and registered play therapists help children explore their emotions, build resilience, and enhance children’s brain development while providing a suitable intervention as a method of meeting their needs to develop healthier coping skills, including art therapy. Whether they’re dealing with anxiety, trauma, or everyday challenges, play therapy provides the support they need—without the pressure of talking.

Yes, you don’t have to navigate this alone. At TLC, we create a nurturing space where children feel seen, heard, and understood. 

What Is Play Therapy?

To understand play therapy in a better way, take this example: When five-year-old Lucas started acting out in preschool—throwing toys, refusing to listen, and withdrawing from playtime—his parents were confused. He couldn’t explain what was wrong, but his emotions were spilling out in ways no one could ignore. That’s when their parents decided to opt for play therapy. For children like Lucas, play isn’t just fun—it’s communication.

Play therapy helps children express emotions they can’t yet put into words. Whether building, drawing, or acting out scenarios, their play reveals what’s on their mind. It’s a safe, natural way for kids to process challenges, release fears, and develop emotional resilience.

Some of the issues that can be solved with Play Therapy include:

• Anxiety

• Behavioral issues

• Depression

• Social skills difficulties

• Trauma and PTSD

• Anger management

• Divorce or family transitions

• Learning disabilities

• Autism spectrum disorders

• Attachment issues

• Grief and loss

• Low self-esteem

At Total Life Counseling, our Play Therapy counselor Winter Park guide children through play-based techniques that foster healing, confidence, and emotional growth. When children feel understood, they can start to heal—one playful moment at a time.

Take the first step toward helping your child—book an in-person counseling session today!

How Does TLC Help Children Heal and Grow Through Play Therapy?

At Total Life Counseling in Winter Park, we see beyond behaviors—we see the emotions behind them. Every child communicates in their own way, and when words aren’t enough, play therapy helps them express, process, and overcome life’s challenges in a space where they feel understood. Here’s how we help!

• Emotions Take Shape Through Play: A child struggling with social anxiety may carefully arrange miniature figures in a sand tray, recreating an overwhelming moment at school. Through gentle guidance, they begin to reshape the story—this time, with confidence and control.

• Healing That Feels Natural: For a child dealing with grief or trauma, words can feel too heavy. But when they sculpt, draw, or act out their emotions, they can process their pain in a way that doesn’t feel forced.

• From Frustration to Self-Regulation: Some kids lash out when they’re overwhelmed, and others shut down. Our Play Therapy therapist Winter Park helps children recognize their emotions, express them safely, and develop healthy coping mechanisms by using interactive games and creative activities.

• Learning Social Skills Without Pressure: For children who struggle with friendships, structured play provides a stress-free way to practice communication, teamwork, and problem-solving without fearing getting it “wrong.”

• Empowering Parents to Understand Their Child’s World: Play therapy isn’t just for children—it’s for families, too. Through observation and guided participation, parents gain insight into their child’s emotions, helping them respond with patience, empathy, and support.

At Total Life Counseling in Winter Park, play isn’t just play—it’s a bridge to emotional growth, healing, and lifelong resilience. Let’s help your child take that step forward.

ASD and Play Therapy at TLC Winter Park

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience the world in unique ways, often finding it difficult to express emotions or connect through traditional conversation. At Total Life Counseling (TLC) in Winter Park, we understand the challenges surrounding substance abuse, and we use play therapy to create a safe, engaging space where they can communicate, process feelings, and build essential life skills.

How TLC Play Therapy Counseling Winter Park Helps

• A Safe Way to Express Emotions: Many children with ASD struggle with verbal communication. Through sand trays, puppets, and imaginative play, they can process emotions, release tension, and make sense of their world—without words.

• Developing Social and Emotional Skills: Structured play naturally and engagingly teaches essential life skills like turn-taking, sharing, recognizing emotions, and building relationships.

• Personalized for Every Child: Each child is unique. Our therapists tailor every session to match their comfort level, interests, and communication style, ensuring a positive experience.

• Strengthening Parent-Child Bonds: Play therapy also helps parents understand their child’s sensory needs, emotions, and way of processing the world, leading to deeper connections at home.

At TLC Winter Park, we create engaging and effective therapy experiences to help children grow and thrive. Call us today at +1 407-770-0148 for a free 15-minute consultation.

Sand Tray Therapy in Winter Park: A Non-Verbal Path to Healing

When emotions feel too big for words, children often express themselves in other ways—through play, behavior, or silence. At TLC, we offer a powerful therapy i.e; Sand Tray Therapy that help children communicate their thoughts and feelings in a safe, non-verbal way.

By arranging sand and miniature objects, children bring their emotions to life—crafting calm, structured scenes when they feel secure or chaotic, scattered ones when overwhelmed. These symbolic creations offer deep insight into their struggles, fears, and experiences, allowing therapists to guide them toward healing gently.

Our Sand Tray Therapy isn’t about talking—it’s about processing emotions naturally and without pressure. Whether your child is facing anxiety, trauma, or social challenges, this method provides a stress-free way to work through their feelings at their own pace.

At TLC Winter Park, we create a nurturing space where children feel seen, heard, and understood. If your child is struggling, we’re here to help—one meaningful moment at a time.

Transforming Therapy: Playful Healing, Meaningful Connections

At Total Life Counseling in Winter Park, Florida, we believe therapy should be a place of comfort, not a task to endure. That’s why we take an engaging, hands-on approach, allowing children to express themselves naturally through play, movement, and creativity—guided by compassion and without the pressure of formal conversations.

What Makes TLC Different

• Therapy That Feels Effortless: Children communicate best through action, not just words. Our play therapy, which embodies the approach of play, interactive activities, and creative techniques provides a relaxed space where kids can process emotions, develop confidence, and feel genuinely understood.

• Growth Beyond the Therapy Room: Healing isn’t confined to an office. We offer group sessions, interactive retreats, social skill-building experiences, and camps where children connect with others, practice real-world interactions, and grow in a supportive setting, every step of the way.

• A Whole-Child Approach to Well-Being: Rather than immediately turning to medication, we explore alternative strategies like nutrition, behavioral techniques, and lifestyle adjustments. This holistic approach has helped many children with ADHD improve focus and behavior naturally.

At Total Life Counseling, we do more than provide therapy—we equip children with the tools to navigate emotions, build relationships, and confidently embrace life. Let’s take this journey together.

Testimonials

“I wanted to take a moment and recognize Jim and his staff. They have truly helped our family and, more importantly, our son. The intentional plan to help him navigate his ADHD and the caring and personable approach is just what he needed. With their help and support, he has shown marked improvement and better understands who he is! God bless you all!”

– Pablo Lugo

“My son has been undergoing counseling at Total Life for 2 years, and I can assertively state that the therapy has been instrumental in helping my son successfully cope with his ADHD. Mr. West has been an immense source of support in various areas of my son’s life.”

– Paul Bocuse