Guiding Your Child Toward Healing: Play Therapy Lake Mary
Some emotions are too big for words. When a child struggles with anxiety, anger, or sadness, it doesn’t always show up in the way parents expect. Instead of saying, “I’m overwhelmed,” they might lash out, withdraw, or act out in school. We understand watching your child struggle without knowing how to help can feel frustrating and heartbreaking as a parent.
At Total Life Counseling in Lake Mary, we also understand children express emotions differently. Thus our play therapy offers a safe, supportive space where they can process their feelings without the pressure of finding the right words. Through creative play, storytelling, and interactive activities, our expert therapists help children make sense of their emotions, build confidence, and develop healthier ways to cope.
Because every child deserves to feel understood, and every parent deserves the right support. Let’s take this journey together for your child’s perfect growth- slowly but in the right direction.
What Is Play Therapy?
Have you ever noticed your child struggling with big emotions but unable to explain what’s wrong? Do they act out, withdraw, or seem overwhelmed by everyday challenges? For many kids, expressing feelings through words can be tricky—but through play, they communicate in ways we might not always recognize.
Play therapy provides a safe space where children can process emotions and accelerate the healing process, build confidence, and navigate life’s challenges through toys, art, and imaginative play. It allows them to work through fears, frustrations, and anxieties in a natural and comforting way.
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 center in Lake Mary, our trained therapists who are from diverse clinical backgrounds, use play therapy to help children express what words cannot. Through a compassionate, engaging approach, we help kids heal, grow, and develop the emotional strength they need to thrive.
| Take the first step toward helping your child—book an in-person counseling session today! |
Helping Children Heal and Grow Through Play Therapy at TLC Lake Mary
Are you worried about your child’s anger issues or sad behavior? Are they behaving differently nowadays? At TLC, we understand that every child experiences emotions differently. When words aren’t enough, play therapy becomes their language—helping them express, process, and overcome life’s challenges in a space where they feel safe, and supported and address mental health needs. Here’s how we help!
- Emotions Expressed Through Play: A child struggling with anxiety might build a scene in a sand tray, unknowingly revealing their deepest fears. Through guided play, they explore solutions and regain confidence in facing the world.
- Healing Without Pressure: Children who have experienced trauma, loss, or significant life changes often find it hard to talk about their feelings. But when given the space to create, act, or build, they naturally process emotions—without fear of judgment.
- Turning Big Feelings Into Healthy Responses: Anger, frustration, and meltdowns can often stem from unspoken struggles. Our therapists help children recognize their emotions and develop healthier ways to cope through interactive games and storytelling.
- Building Social Confidence Through Play: Making friends and understanding social cues can be overwhelming for some kids. Play therapy provides a comfortable way to practice communication, cooperation, and problem-solving—without the stress of real-world pressure.
- Stronger Parent-Child Bonds Through Understanding: Parents often wonder, “What is my child trying to tell me?” Play therapy helps bridge that gap, giving families deeper insight into their children’s emotions and helping them respond with patience, empathy, and support.
At Total Life Counseling in Lake Mary, play is more than just fun—it’s a path to healing, growth, and lifelong emotional strength.
Play Therapy Counseling Lake Mary for ASD at TLC
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often experience the world in ways that can be difficult to express. At Total Life Counseling (TLC) in Lake Mary, we use play therapy and CBT to bridge that gap, offering a supportive environment where kids can explore emotions, develop social skills, and build confidence—without the pressure of traditional talk therapy.
How Our Play Therapy Makes a Difference
- A Comforting Way to Express Emotions: For many children, words aren’t enough to communicate feelings. Through hands-on activities like sand tray play, puppetry, and role-playing, they can naturally and safely share emotions.
- Nurturing Social Development: By engaging in structured play, kids practice interaction skills, emotional understanding, and cooperative behavior, making navigating social situations easier.
- Personalized for Every Child: No two children with ASD are alike. Our Play Therapy counselor Lake Mary adapts sessions to match each child’s interests, strengths, and communication style, ensuring therapy feels engaging and beneficial.
- Helping Families Connect: Play therapy isn’t just for the child—it helps parents understand their child’s sensory needs, challenges, and unique ways of experiencing the world, leading to deeper bonds at home.
Overall, we focus on guiding children toward emotional growth, confidence, and stronger connections in a natural and engaging way.
| 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 on +1 407-377-0534 |
Sand Tray Therapy in Lake Mary: Giving Children a Voice Without Words
Children don’t always have the words to explain their emotions, but their actions and play tell a story. At Total Life Counseling, we use Sand Tray Therapy to help children express their inner world—without the pressure of verbal communication.
With a tray of sand and miniature objects, kids create scenes that reflect their feelings—a peaceful setting when they feel safe, scattered pieces when they’re overwhelmed, or buried objects when emotions feel too heavy. Each creation gives insight into their experiences, fears, and struggles, helping therapists understand what words alone can’t reveal.
Unlike traditional therapy, sand tray therapy is immersive and stress-free. Whether a child is coping with trauma, anxiety, or social difficulties, this hands-on approach lets them process emotions at their own pace.
At TLC Lake Mary, we provide a safe space for children to heal, grow, and feel truly understood.
Healing Through Play: A Safe, Supportive Approach
At TLC, we believe therapy, including family counseling, should be a place of comfort and discovery, not stress. That’s why we create an interactive, engaging environment where children express themselves naturally through play, movement, and creative activities without feeling pressured to talk about what’s bothering them including substance abuse in some cases.
What Sets TLC Apart:
- Therapy That Feels Like Play: Children often communicate best through actions rather than words. Our play-based approach, to adolescent therapy, which is one of the many types of therapy, allows them to work through emotions, build confidence, and develop coping skills in a natural and enjoyable way.
- Learning That Extends Beyond Sessions: Emotional growth doesn’t stop at the therapy room. We offer group interactions, retreats, and real-world social skill-building experiences, helping children connect, learn, and thrive in everyday life.
- A Holistic Path to Well-Being: We take a whole-child approach, exploring behavioral techniques, lifestyle changes, and behavior therapy alongside nutrition before considering medication. This has helped many of our ADHD clients see significant improvements in focus, behavior, and emotional regulation.
| At Total Life Counseling, we don’t just help children heal—we empower them to grow, connect, and build resilience for life. Let’s take the first step together. |
Testimonials
A Few Kind Words From Satisfied Clients
Licensed Counselors & Therapists
Meet Our Team of Certified & Experienced Professionals
Total Life Counseling Center consists of Licensed Counselors, Masters Level Therapists, Espanol Counselors, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Business Coaches, Image Enhancement Coaches who provide counseling for emotional, mental, physical and spiritual care including marriage, individual, family, substance abuse and more. Our team of certified and experienced professionals, dedicated to serving a comprehensive spectrum of mental health and relationship issues such as couples, women and men’s issues, children and teens with oppositional defiance, video game addiction, ADHD, ASD, anxiety, depression, and trauma survivors, is here to support and guide you through your journey towards healing and navigating life transitions. This approach not only enhances the effectiveness of the counseling provided but also builds trust within the community and among potential clients, who may be seeking support.
We offer next level counselors specialized in areas such as relationships, video game & drug/alcohol addictions, abuse, trauma, depression, and ADHD. Our Therapists are EMDR (eye movement desensitization) trauma therapy trained, cognitive behavioral therapy, specialize in ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Children, and are also professional Gottman method marriage couples counselors to give the best results to couples and to provide the best comprehensive spectrum of mental health and relationship care for our clients.
Struggling with Anger? We offer 8 hour anger management group therapy!
Discounted Rates and the president of Total Life Counseling Center Jim West does not want to turn people away and we have counselors at various levels of experience at a discounted rate that are trained by our next level counselors!
Brandon Feinberg
MS, LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR
Male Counselor, Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in ADHD, Asperger Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and more!
Audrey DeBruler
MS, LMHC, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Children, Adolescents, Young Adults, Faith Based Counseling, Trauma Recovery, Anxiety and more!
Lyris Steuber
MS, licesned marriage & family therapist
Counselor, Coach, Marriage & Family, Play Therapy, Divorce, Adolescent and more!
Valerie Ware
Psychologist and Behavioral Specialist
Psychological Evaluator, Autism, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Anxiety, Gifted, Career Pathways, and emotional assessments.
Total Life In The News
Total Life Counseling Play Therapy Experts Have Been Featured On Multiple TV Networks and News Stations:
Our subject matter experts have participated in over 200 national & local news interviews and they are here for you!
At Total Life Counseling Center our Counselors are Experts for National and Local TV, Radio and Print Media. We have an excellent reputation amongst graduate & private schools, attorneys, doctors, therapists, providers and corporations. We strive to ensure our therapists have diverse clinical backgrounds, to allow us to match each client to the therapist that will best meet his or her needs.
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Struggling with ADHD, ASD or Defiance?
It’s Time to Stress Less!
Everyone knows someone struggling with ADHD, ASD or Defiance. So, Jim West Developed the StressLess Educational Series as a comprehensive video program to help people all over the world! StressLess Now or Book Jim as a Guest Speaker Today! Click for more info and free video tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of play therapy?
Play therapy helps children express emotions, develop coping skills, and process experiences safely and nonverbally using play as their natural form of communication.
What are the benefits of play therapy?
It improves emotional regulation, boosts self-confidence, enhances social skills, and helps children work through trauma, anxiety, or behavioral challenges in a supportive environment.
What is used in play therapy?
Play therapy incorporates toys, art materials, sand trays, puppets, and games to encourage self-expression and help children explore their emotions in a natural way.
What are the disadvantages of play therapy?
While play therapy is highly effective, it requires time and consistency to see lasting results. Some children may take longer to open up, and progress might not be immediately visible. However, with the right Play Therapy therapist Lake Mary, your child will experience emotional growth and healing much quicker.