Play Therapy in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota
Helping kids Heal, Grow, and thrive through therapeutic Play therapy
At IBW, we specialize in evidence-based play therapy for children aged 3 to 12. Our licensed therapists in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota provide a compassionate and developmentally appropriate space where children can express emotions, build resilience, and overcome challenges—all through the natural language of play.
What Is Play Therapy? (And Why It Works)
Play therapy is a structured, evidence-based therapy approach that uses play between a trained therapist and a child. While most adults are able to articulate their emotions and experiences through words, children express themselves through toys, art, movement, and imaginative scenarios. A skilled play therapist is trained to interpret it, analyze it and use it for transformational healing.
In a therapeutic playroom, a child is invited to use toys, art materials, sand trays, and games to:
Process anxiety, grief, trauma, or behavioral challenges
Learn emotional regulation, self-awareness, and problem-solving
Build self-esteem and social skills
Strengthen the parent-child relationship and secure attachment
Develop coping tools that transfer into home, school, and peer life
The approach is grounded in decades of child development research as seen through the Association for Play Therapy and numerous peer-reviewed studies that show play therapy produces significant improvements in emotional and behavioral outcomes.
Meet Play Therapists in Tampa, St. Petersburg & Sarasota
Ciana Nguyen, LCSW
Child and Play Therapist in Tampa and Sarasota
Ciana is a Florida-licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in play therapy for children, teens, and families at our Tampa and Sarasota offices. She holds her MSW from the University of South Florida and integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and play-based approaches to support kids through anxiety, trauma, grief, and emotional regulation.
Nicole Young, LCSW
Child, Teen, and Family Therapist in Sarasota
Nicole is a Florida-licensed Clinical Social Worker providing child and teen therapy exclusively at our Sarasota office. She holds her MSW from the University of South Florida and supports children ages 5 to 17 through anxiety, emotional regulation challenges, school stress, peer concerns, and self-esteem development. Nicole blends CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, mindfulness, and play-based interventions.
Melissa Zentner, LMHC
Child and Trauma Therapist in St. Petersburg
Melissa is a Florida-licensed Mental Health Counselor with over 12 years of clinical experience at our St. Petersburg office. She holds her Master's from East Carolina University, is certified in Trauma-Focused CBT through the North Carolina Child Treatment Program, and is trained in the Neurosequential Model through the Child Trauma Academy. Melissa integrates play therapy with neuroscience-informed strategies to support children ages 8 and up.
Brianna Garcia, LMHC
Child and Teen Therapist in Tampa
Brianna is a Florida-licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in child and teen therapy at our Tampa office. She holds her Master's from Boston College and a double undergraduate degree in Psychology and Family and Child Sciences from Florida State University. Brianna integrates CBT, Solution-Focused Therapy, DBT-informed approaches, play therapy, and mindfulness to help children and teens build emotional regulation, communication, and practical coping skills.
Lauren Pankuch, LMHC
Child and Play Therapist in Tampa
Lauren is a Florida-licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in play therapy for children and teens at our Tampa office. She holds her MA from the University of Central Florida, is formally trained in Play Therapy and Child-Parent Relationship Therapy through UCF, and is actively credentialing toward Registered Play Therapist (RPT). Lauren integrates polyvagal-informed strategies and neurodivergent-affirming care for children ages 4 and up.
Therapeutic Play Therapy For Kids Near Me in Florida
Play therapy in st petersburg, Largo & Clearwater, fl
Our St. Petersburg play therapy office supports children and families across Pinellas County, including Clearwater, Largo, Gulfport, Seminole, Feather Sound, and Treasure Island. Our licensed child therapists use therapeutic play, art, and games to help kids express big feelings, work through behavior challenges, and feel safer in their bodies. If your child is struggling at home or school, play therapy in St. Petersburg gives them a warm, kid-centered space to heal and grow.
play therapy in tampa
Located near Westshore and South Tampa, our Tampa play therapy office serves children and families throughout Hillsborough County, including South Tampa, Hyde Park, Carrollwood, Brandon, Riverview, and Apollo Beach. Our child-focused therapists blend evidence-based play therapy with practical parenting support to address tantrums, anxiety, ADHD symptoms, and behavior struggles. Families choose Tampa play therapy at It Begins Within when they want a trusted team to help their child feel understood, confident, and connected again.
play therapy in sarasota
Our Sarasota office provides compassionate play therapy for kids and families in Lakewood Ranch, Palmer Ranch, Siesta Key, University Park, and the greater Sarasota area. Using developmentally appropriate play, storytelling, and creative activities, our therapists help children process big life changes, worries, meltdowns, and school challenges in a way that feels natural and safe. Sarasota play therapy at It Begins Within is designed to support both children and parents, so you are not navigating these struggles alone.
Signs It May Be Time to Reach Out for Play Therapy
Most parents wait longer than they needed to, often hoping the behavior will pass. Sometimes it does. When it does not, earlier intervention almost always means shorter treatment and better outcomes.
These are the patterns we hear most often in initial consultations across Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota:
Daily tantrums that feel unpredictable or impossible to de-escalate
A child who seems stuck in worry, fear, or sadness and cannot shake it
Aggression toward siblings, pets, or objects that is new or escalating
Nightmares, bedtime fears, or frequent night waking that disrupt the whole household
Sudden school refusal or morning complaints of stomachaches and headaches
A once-social child pulling away from friends, activities, or family
Anxiety that shows up as perfectionism, reassurance-seeking, or avoidance
Behavior shifts following a move, loss, separation, divorce, or medical event
Emotional reactions that feel bigger than the trigger, and harder to recover from than you see in peers
Questions about identity, belonging, or self-worth that keep surfacing
If you recognize your child in more than one of these patterns, it is worth an initial conversation. A consultation carries no obligation, and it often brings the clarity parents have been waiting for.
How to Know If Your Child Needs Play Therapy or Another Type of Support
Parents often arrive at our Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota offices with a version of the same question. Is what my child is going through something that resolves on its own, or is it time for professional support, and if so, is play therapy the right form of support?
Play therapy is most often the right fit when your child is between ages 3 and 12, is showing persistent emotional or behavioral changes that last more than four to six weeks, and is struggling to tell you in words what is happening inside. Play is their first language, and a trained play therapist can read that language in ways typical conversation cannot reach.
Other forms of support may be a better match in the following situations:
Your child is older than 12 and may benefit more from teen therapy
The family system is the primary driver of the struggle, and family therapy will move the needle faster
The parent is the primary learning target, and structured parent training will produce faster change than weekly child sessions
A psychiatric evaluation or medication management referral is indicated before or alongside therapy
Your child is facing focused, specific anxiety that may respond faster to cognitive behavioral therapy tailored for kids
At the initial consultation, a member of our team will walk you through where your child fits best, so the first appointment is already the right appointment.
How We Decide Between Child-Centered Play Therapy, Parent Coaching, and CPRT
Parent Coaching
Parent coaching becomes the primary vehicle when the most efficient path to change runs through the parent-child relationship itself. If a three-year-old is melting down every night at bedtime, the leverage is usually with the bedtime routine and the parent response, not with a weekly session the child will not remember. Parent coaching draws on Parent-Child Interaction Therapy principles, behavioral strategies, and attachment-based guidance to give you skills that work in real time, at home, in the moments that matter most.
Child-Parent Relationship Therapy
Child-Parent Relationship Therapy, or CPRT, is the bridge between the two. It is a structured, evidence-based model, sometimes called filial therapy, that teaches you how to lead special play sessions with your own child at home. Ten weeks of training and coaching turn the parent into the primary therapeutic agent, which is often the most durable form of change for young children. CPRT is particularly strong for attachment concerns, repairing a strained parent-child connection, and supporting children through divorce, adoption, or significant family transitions.
Many families move through more than one of these over the course of treatment. The match is made in the initial consultation and revisited as your child grows, the presenting concern shifts, or the family goals evolve.
“Play therapy works when the method fits the moment. A skilled play therapist knows when to follow the child, when to teach the parent, and when to put the parent and child in the room together. That clinical judgment is what I look for in every therapist I bring onto the team at It Begins Within.”
Not every child needs the same approach, and not every family benefits from the same balance of direct play therapy and parent work. Matching method to moment is part of what makes treatment effective. Here is how our therapists think through the choice.
Child-Centered Play Therapy
Child-Centered Play Therapy, or CCPT, is often our starting point for children who are carrying internal distress they cannot yet name. The therapist follows your child's lead in the playroom, using reflection and relationship to help them process emotion at their own pace. CCPT is well-suited for anxiety, grief, trauma recovery, adjustment to life changes, and self-esteem work in children who need to feel heard before they can accept direction.
Play Therapy for Neurodivergent and Autistic Children
At It Begins Within, we provide play therapy tailored to the unique strengths and needs of neurodivergent and autistic children. Our therapists are experienced in supporting children with autism spectrum differences, ADHD, sensory processing differences, and other developmental variations.
Through a strengths-based, sensory-aware approach, we create a calm, predictable play environment that meets your child where they are emotionally and developmentally. Play therapy for neurodivergent and autistic children helps:
Support emotional regulation and reduce sensory overwhelm
Build communication, flexibility, and social connection skills
Foster self-expression through visual, tactile, and imaginative play
Encourage trust and attunement in the therapeutic relationship
Reinforce routines and predictability that support nervous system regulation
We collaborate closely with parents and caregivers to reinforce progress at home and ensure therapy is responsive to your child's evolving needs.
What Happens During Pediatric Play Therapy?
Before meeting the child, the therapist will meet with the parents or guardians to learn more about the child and to explain play therapy. A Pediatric play therapist can also work with the parent to help support the guardian with emotional and behavioral challenges in the home and school settings. The clinicians role includes helping to improve parenting skills to support the work being done with the child in addition to strengthening the treatment.
kinds of play therapy used at it begins within therapy in sarasota, st. petersburg & Tampa, florida
At It Begins Within, our child therapists incorporate a variety of play therapy techniques tailored to your child's needs, helping them manage challenges like anxiety, behavioral issues, ADHD symptoms, or trauma in a safe, non-verbal way. These methods draw on proven strategies from child psychology, promoting emotional regulation, self-awareness, and resilience. Sessions are fun and interactive, often lasting 45-60 minutes, with parents involved as needed for family support.
Our play therapy may include:
Imaginative Role-Play or Storytelling: Children use puppets, dolls, or props to act out scenarios, helping them explore feelings, resolve conflicts, and practice social skills. This technique, like puppet interviews or pretend play, encourages emotional expression and problem-solving in a low-pressure environment.
Drawing, Painting, and Sensory Activities: Through art materials like crayons, clay, or sensory bins, kids externalize thoughts and emotions they may struggle to verbalize. Activities such as "feeling faces" or Play-Doh volcanoes help with anxiety reduction and sensory integration, fostering creativity and self-esteem.
Sand Tray Therapy: Using a tray of sand and miniature figures, children create scenes representing their inner world, aiding in trauma processing and symbolic communication. This non-directive method is particularly effective for building narratives around difficult experiences.
Use of Therapeutic Games and Toys: Board games like Uno or Jenga, puzzles, building blocks, or fidget tools promote focus, turn-taking, and emotional discussions. These activities enhance executive function, social interaction, and coping strategies while making therapy enjoyable.
Benefits of These Play Therapy Activities
Incorporating these techniques helps children develop better emotional insight, reduce behavioral challenges, and improve relationships at home and school. Research shows play therapy can lead to significant improvements in symptoms, with many kids showing progress in as few as 12-16 sessions. If you're searching for "play therapy activities for kids" or "how play therapy helps children," our approach is designed to deliver lasting results. Contact us today to schedule a session in Tampa, St. Petersburg, or Sarasota.
Each session is guided by a play therapist who is trained to
Observe the child’s patterns in play
Reflect emotions and themes back in safe, accessible language
Gently guide children toward insight, self-regulation, and healing
What Parent Involvement Actually Looks Like at IBWHC
Parents often ask whether they stay, watch, or leave when play therapy sessions happen. The honest answer is that it depends on your child, the approach, and where you are in treatment. Here is what involvement actually looks like from start to finish.
The Initial Parent Consultation
Every case begins with a dedicated parent session before your child meets the therapist. This is where you share the full picture, including your child's history, the current concerns, what you have already tried, and what outcomes matter most to you. Your therapist uses this session to form clinical hypotheses and design the first phase of treatment.
The Weekly Session Itself
Most play therapy sessions are held one-on-one with your child. That protected space is what allows the therapist to build trust quickly and gives your child permission to explore feelings without performing for the adults who love them. You are in the waiting area, not out of the loop.
Check-Ins Between Sessions
Your therapist will schedule regular parent check-ins, typically every four to six weeks, and more often when treatment is early or when behavior at home is escalating. These check-ins are where you hear what your therapist is seeing, get concrete strategies to use at home, and partner on any shifts to the treatment plan.
Joint Sessions When Indicated
When the work calls for it, your therapist may invite you into sessions directly. This is common in CPRT, attachment repair work, and when your child is ready to practice new skills with you in a supported setting.
Daily Life at Home
The work that happens in the playroom is only part of what drives change. Your therapist will give you specific language to use with your child, routines to try, and patterns to watch for. Children who have informed, engaged parents at home progress faster and hold their gains longer. Parent involvement is not optional at IBWHC. It is central to how we practice.
Finding a Play Therapist for Your Child in Tampa, Largo, St. Pete & Sarasota
Choosing the right therapist for your child is an incredibly important decision. At IBW, we combine clinical expertise with a warm, child-centered approach to help your family feel confident and supported from the start.
Why families trust our play therapy team
Licensed & Certified Specialists
All sessions are led by licensed therapists with advanced training in child development, trauma-informed care, and play therapy models.Therapeutic Playrooms in Tampa & St. Petersburg, Florida
Our offices are designed with children in mind—safe, welcoming, and developmentally appropriate environments that support meaningful therapeutic work.Evidence-Based Treatment Models
We use proven approaches like Child-Centered Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, and other research-supported interventions tailored to your child’s needs.Family-Centered Treatment Plans
Therapy includes clear, collaborative goals and regular communication with caregivers to reinforce progress at home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Play Therapy
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Play therapy is one of the most well-researched, evidence-based interventions for children ages 3 to 12. A widely cited meta-analysis by Bratton and colleagues found play therapy to be effective across a broad range of presenting concerns, with a large overall treatment effect. More recent research continues to support its efficacy, particularly for children managing trauma, anxiety, ADHD, and behavioral challenges. Outcomes are even stronger when parents are actively involved in the therapeutic process.
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Play therapy is most commonly used with children ages 3 to 12. Younger children, including toddlers around age 2.5, can benefit from developmentally adjusted play therapy when the approach is simplified and parents are integrated into the work. For adolescents 13 and older, we typically recommend teen therapy, which blends conversation with creative and expressive approaches.
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Many children show meaningful progress within 12 to 16 sessions. More complex presentations, including trauma, neurodevelopmental differences, or family transitions, may benefit from longer-term treatment. Your therapist will partner with you to set clear goals at the outset and review progress together every four to six weeks, so you always know how treatment is unfolding.
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Not every child does, but most families benefit from at least some level of parent involvement. The decision depends on your child's age, the presenting concern, and where the leverage for change actually lives. Very young children, typically under age six, almost always progress faster when parents are actively coached, because the parent is present for nearly every waking moment of the child's life. Older children with trauma or internal distress sometimes make the fastest progress in individual sessions with periodic parent check-ins rather than intensive coaching. Your therapist will recommend the balance that fits your family, and that balance often shifts as your child moves through treatment.
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This is common and expected, and it is not a sign that therapy will not work. Trained play therapists are skilled at building rapport with children who are quiet, slow to warm, anxious about new people, or openly reluctant to be in the room. The first few sessions are often spent letting your child explore the playroom, choose activities at their own pace, and discover that this adult is different from the other adults in their life who want something from them. For many children, the resistance softens within two to four sessions. For others, the therapist will pivot to approaches grounded in art, sand tray, or sensory work, or will shift the early work toward parent coaching until your child is ready. Resistance is information, not a roadblock.
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Yes. Play therapy is a research-supported treatment for childhood trauma and has been shown to help children reduce emotional distress and behavioral symptoms following adverse experiences. Our therapists often integrate trauma-focused approaches, including TF-CBT and sand tray work, within the play therapy framework. For children who have experienced abuse, loss, medical trauma, or household instability, play provides a safer entry point for processing than direct conversation.
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At IBW our standard rates are $165 for a 60-minute play therapy session, and $225 for 60-minute family sessions. We also provide a limited amount of sliding scale options.
Start Your Child's Healing Journey Through Play Therapy
Your child does not have to carry what they are feeling alone, and neither do you. Our licensed play therapists in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and across Florida are ready to help your child find their voice, their confidence, and their footing again.
Book a complimentary consultation today to talk through what your child is experiencing and find out which of our specialists is the best match for your family.