Child & Play Therapy
Counselling With Children
At Compassion Cove, we believe in the power of relationships, connection, and safe spaces for healing. Our work with children is rooted in compassion, curiosity, and a deep respect for each child’s unique way of being in the world. We understand that childhood can be full of big feelings, growing pains, and unexpected challenges. Whether your child is navigating anxiety, emotional outbursts, grief, family changes, friendship struggles, or just needs a safe space to make sense of their inner world—we’re here to help.
Children experience the world differently than adults. They often communicate through behaviour, play, and emotion rather than words. That’s why counselling with children looks and feels different than traditional talk therapy. Our work is rooted in attunement, safety, and relationship, and tailored to meet each child where they are developmentally, emotionally, and uniquely as themself.
Depending on your child’s needs, we draw from a range of therapeutic approaches such as:
Play-based therapy
Attachment-focused work
Emotion coaching and regulation skills
Psychoeducation using child-friendly tools
Parent-child relational support
Mindfulness and somatic practices
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for children
We create spaces where children feel safe to explore, express, and grow—while also working closely with caregivers to support progress beyond the therapy room. We see counselling as a collaborative journey with the child and their family, grounded in trust, empathy, and connection.
“Play is the child’s natural medium of self-expression. Play therapy is an opportunity which is given to the child to ‘play out’ their feelings and problems just as in certain types of adult therapy and individual ‘talks out’ their feelings” - Virginia Axline
Play Therapy At Compassion Cove Counselling Collective
Christina Rodrigue and Catherine Small are both passionate about supporting children and families through life’s challenges and specialize in Play Therapy—a developmentally appropriate and evidence-based approach that meets children where they are.
Why Play?
"Play is the work of the child." – Maria Montessori
Play is the natural language of children. Just as adults use words to explore feelings and make sense of the world, children use play. Through stories, art, miniatures, role-play, movement, and games, children can express big emotions, process experiences, and explore new solutions. Play is not only fun and creative—it’s deeply healing.
Research consistently supports the effectiveness of play therapy with children experiencing a wide variety of social, emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges, including those related to life stressors such as divorce, grief, trauma, relocation, hospitalization, and family conflict (Bratton et al., 2005; Ray et al., 2015). It is particularly effective when parents or caregivers are actively involved in the process, which is why your counsellor at Compassion Cove will at times invite parents to join their child’s session or have “adults only” sessions to connect with caregivers on how best to support both child and family.
What Is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is a structured, evidence-based form of counselling that helps children express themselves, regulate emotions, solve problems, and strengthen relationships. It is different from regular play at home or in school. In the therapy room, play is intentional, supported by a trained mental health professional, and guided by the child’s needs.
Play based therapists, Catherine and Christina offer children the opportunity to:
Develop emotional regulation and coping strategies
Process grief, trauma, anxiety, and life changes
Strengthen their sense of self-worth and confidence
Improve relational skills within their family and social environments
Learn and practice new ways of being, thinking, and connecting
Our therapeutic tools may include:
Sand tray therapy
Art and creative expression
Bibliotherapy and storytelling
Puppets and role play
Movement and sensory-based tools
Theraplay
Autplay
We often incorporate elements of Attachment-Based Therapy, EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and Parent Support, depending on your child’s needs.
What To Expect
Sessions typically last 50 minutes and are offered in our cozy, child-friendly offices at Compassion Cove. Although everyone benefits, play therapy is especially appropriate for children ages 3 through 12 years old (Carmichael, 2006; Gil, 1991; Landreth, 2002; Schaefer, 1993). Teenagers and adults have also benefited from play techniques and recreational processes. Sessions may include the child individually, or involve caregivers and family members as appropriate. The therapeutic process is collaborative—we keep caregivers informed and involved to ensure change continues outside of the therapy room.
Healing happens in connection—and we are honoured to walk alongside your child and family on this journey.
If you’re wondering if Play Therapy is right for your child, we welcome you to reach out and learn more.
Statement re. Custody Concerns
Although Compassion Cove Counselling Collective works with many families who are going through separation and divorce, our focus is on the child’s needs. Compassion Cove does therapy work with and for the child, not the parents, as it relates to separation and divorce. Our therapists do not do any custody work nor do they complete affidavits, write letters or attend court for the purpose of determining custody.
*If this is something that you think you may need, Compassion Cove is not the right fit for your needs.