A Safe Space for Healing: Play Therapy Clermont Florida

Serving Minneola, Oakland and Winter Garden Florida

Let’s imagine this: Emma, a bright and curious six-year-old, had always been full of energy. But lately, she had been quiet—too quiet. At school, she withdrew from her friends, and at home, she had sudden outbursts over the smallest things. Her parents couldn’t understand what was wrong. No matter how often they asked, she wouldn’t—or couldn’t—put her feelings into words.

For many children like Emma, emotions are complicated and overwhelming. They don’t always have the vocabulary to express fear, anxiety, or sadness. That’s where play therapy comes in. It provides a child-friendly, non-intimidating space where toys, games, and creative activities become their voice.

At Total Life Counseling in Clermont, we specialize in helping children process their emotions naturally. Through play therapy, our trained therapists gently guide children to express their thoughts, navigate their feelings, and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

If your child is struggling but can’t find the words to tell you, we’re here to help. TLC creates a nurturing environment where healing begins—not through pressure, but through play and family counseling. So ease your worry because we are here to help.

What Is Play Therapy?

Have you ever noticed how kids express themselves through play—acting out stories, drawing their feelings, or building imaginary worlds? That’s because play is their language. When words fall short, play therapy helps children process emotions, work through challenges, and build confidence in a way that feels natural.

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

• 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

Whether your child is struggling with anxiety, trauma, or social challenges, play therapy counseling Clermont helps them heal, grow, and thrive—one playful step at a time.

To help kids achieve this resilience, at Total Life Counseling, our trained Play Therapy therapist Clermont uses toys, art, and games to create a safe space where kids can express what they might not be able to say aloud.

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

How TLC Unlocks a Child’s Potential Through Play Therapy?

Are you worried about your child’s growth as they are behaving quite differently these days? Are you seeking ways to get help with understanding your kid’s emotions? At TLC, we know that every child has a story to tell—even if they don’t have the words yet. Through guided play, we help them express, heal, and grow in a safe and supportive environment. Here’s what we do:

• Turning Emotions Into Play: A child struggling with anxiety may use a dollhouse to re-enact a stressful day at school. Through play therapy, they gain tools to understand and manage those emotions.
• Healing Trauma Without Words: A child who has experienced loss might use sand tray therapy to build a world that reflects their feelings. This process helps them process pain and regain a sense of control.
• Shaping Positive Behavior: Through interactive games, a child prone to outbursts may learn how to self-regulate, express frustration healthily, and make better choices.
• Developing Social Skills Naturally: Through cooperative play, children who struggle with friendships practice sharing, patience, and conflict resolution in a fun, not forced, way.
• Building Confidence, One Play Session at a Time: Completing a puzzle or acting out a brave role in therapy boosts self-esteem, helping children see their own strengths.
• Creating Stronger Family Connections: When parents attend specific sessions, they learn to interpret their children’s emotions and respond empathetically, deepening their bond.

Overall, we offer therapy and a foundation for lifelong emotional well-being, growth, and confidence.

ASD and TLC’s Play Therapy: Creating Meaningful Connections and Growth

Raising a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) comes with unique joys and challenges, especially when it comes to communication and emotional expression. At Total Life Counseling, we understand that traditional talk therapy isn’t always practical for children with ASD. That’s why we take a play-based approach, creating a space where they feel safe, understood, and empowered.

How Our Play Therapy Helps Children with ASD Thrive

• A Safe Space to Express Without Words: Many children with ASD struggle to verbalize their emotions, but through puppets, sand trays, and imaginative play, they can process feelings and experiences in a way that feels natural.
• Building Social and Emotional Skills: Structured play teaches essential skills like turn-taking, sharing, and understanding emotions, helping children navigate real-world interactions more efficiently.
• Custom-Tailored to Each Child’s Needs: Every child with ASD is different. That’s why our Play Therapy counselor Clermont use a variety of approaches, ensuring each session aligns with your child’s comfort level, interests, and abilities.
• Strengthening Parent-Child Bonds: Play therapy isn’t just about the child—it also provides parents with insights into their child’s sensory needs and emotions and a unique way of processing the world, helping foster deeper connections at home.

At TLC, we take the guesswork out of finding the right therapist for your child. Our play therapy approach makes therapy engaging, meaningful, and most importantly—effective. Call us today for a complimentary 15-minute consultation. Call Now 407-248-0030

Sand Tray Therapy: A Safe Space for Emotional Expression

When children struggle to express their emotions, they often show it through behavior—acting out, withdrawing, or becoming overwhelmed. Sand Tray Therapy, a specialized form of play therapy, gives children a nonverbal way to process emotions, express fears, and work through challenges in a way that feels safe and natural.

Children create scenes that reflect their inner world using a tray filled with sand and miniature objects. A child might build a peaceful setting when feeling safe, create chaos when struggling with anxiety, or bury objects to symbolize hidden pain. These symbolic expressions help therapists understand emotions that children can’t always put into words.

Unlike traditional therapy, our sand tray therapy allows expression without pressure. Whether a child is navigating trauma, stress, or social difficulties, this hands-on approach helps them process emotions at their own pace. Utilizing a variety of techniques, it also provides parents and therapists with deeper insight, making offering proper support easier.

Overall, TLC uses Sand Tray Therapy to help children feel heard, understood, and empowered.

Redefining Therapy: Where Healing Meets Play and Connection

At Total Life Counseling in Clermont, therapy should feel like a safe space, not a chore. That’s why we go beyond traditional counseling, creating an interactive, engaging, and comfortable environment where children can express themselves naturally—through play, movement, and creativity.

Why TLC Stands Apart

• Therapy That Feels Natural: Kids don’t always open up through words alone. That’s why we use play therapy, recreation therapy, and interactive games to help them communicate, process emotions, and build confidence—without the pressure of formal conversation.
• Beyond Four Walls: Real-World Growth: Healing isn’t limited to an office setting. We incorporate group sessions, retreats, and camps, allowing children to connect with others, practice social skills, and grow in a supportive environment.
• A Holistic Approach to Emotional Well-Being: Instead of immediately prescribing medication, we explore dietary adjustments, vitamins, and behavior-focused techniques first.

At Total Life Counseling, we do more than offer therapy—we empower children to thrive emotionally, socially, and mentally in a natural, fun, and impactful way. Let’s give your child the support they need to grow with confidence.

Testimonials

“We have only had a few sessions with Dawn so far, but I’ve already seen a great improvement in my son! He struggles with separation anxiety and is very quiet at school and in social settings. I’ve seen him start to open up already, and she’s given us strategies to help him calm down when he’s having anxiety, and it’s helping him so much. Dawn is calm, gentle, and patient. You can tell she really cares for her clients and wants to help them. My son feels comfortable with her, and that’s hard for him, especially after only meeting a few times, so we are very happy!”

–  Kim Van Winkle

“Dawn with Total Life Counseling has been outright remarkable! I’ve been taking my kids to her for close to a year, and they always beg me to make appointments sooner. She’s helped us through many things, and we are grateful for our experience with her at TLC. I highly recommend her services.”

– Megan Perreault