How do I know if my child needs therapy?

Children may benefit from therapy when they are struggling emotionally, behaviorally, socially, or after stressful life events. Signs may include changes in mood or behavior, anxiety, emotional outbursts, difficulty sleeping, school challenges, withdrawal, regression, or difficulty coping with transitions or trauma. Sometimes parents simply notice that their child is "not themselves." Therapy can provide support before struggles become more overwhelming.

It is also common for parents to be unsure whether therapy is needed, especially after a major life event or stressful experience. You do not have to have all the answers before reaching out. Sometimes an initial consultation can help determine whether therapy may be supportive for your child or family at this time.

Can therapy help even if my child cannot explain what is wrong?

Yes. Children often communicate their feelings through behavior, play, body language, and relationships rather than through words alone. Play therapy provides children with a safe and developmentally appropriate way to express emotions, process experiences, and build coping skills even when they may not fully understand or verbalize what they are feeling.

What if my child recently disclosed sexual abuse or experienced a recent trauma and I need guidance right away?

If your child has recently disclosed sexual abuse or experienced a traumatic event, it is understandable to feel overwhelmed and unsure of what steps to take next. While our website provides general information, every situation is unique and families often benefit from individualized guidance and support during the early stages following a disclosure or trauma.

If you are seeking immediate guidance, support, or referrals for trauma-focused services, you are welcome to contact Kimberly Mossman directly at kim@mossmanplaytherapy.com. We will do our best to help connect your family with appropriate resources and support as quickly as possible.

What types of issues do you work with?

We work with a wide range of emotional, behavioral, relational, and trauma-related concerns, including:

• Anxiety and worries
• Trauma and stressful life experiences
• Behavioral challenges
• Grief and loss
• Family conflict or transitions
• Sleep difficulties
• School-related concerns
• Self esteem and confidence building
• Depression
• Emotional Dysregulation
• Parenting stress and support needs

What makes play therapy different from simply using play in therapy?

Play therapy and play-based interventions are very different approaches to therapy.

Play-based interventions often use toys, games, or activities to help children relax so they will be more comfortable engaging in conversation or answering questions. In these approaches, play is often a tool used to support verbal communication.

Play therapy, however, recognizes that play itself is the intervention. Children naturally communicate, process experiences, express emotions, and explore relationships through play. Rather than expecting children to communicate like adults, trained play therapists learn to understand and respond to a child's natural language of play.

At the Mossman Play Therapy Center, our clinicians are rooted in play therapy theories and the therapeutic powers of play. We use developmentally informed approaches that honor children where they are emotionally, relationally, and developmentally while helping them build coping skills, emotional regulation, confidence, and healthier relationships.

What happens during a play therapy session?

During play therapy sessions, children use play, art, movement, storytelling, and other creative activities to express feelings, process experiences, and build coping skills. Because play is a child's natural language, therapy looks different than traditional talk therapy. Sessions are intentionally designed to help children feel safe, understood, and supported while working toward treatment goals.

At what age can children benefit from play therapy?

Children of all ages can benefit from developmentally appropriate therapeutic support. At the Mossman Play Therapy Center, we work with parents and children from infancy through age 18. While traditional play therapy interventions are often introduced around age three, support for younger children may focus more heavily on parent-child relationships, attachment, co-regulation, developmental guidance, and caregiver support.

We also work with teens and adolescents, as therapeutic approaches naturally evolve based on a child's age, developmental level, personality, and goals. While the word "play" may bring younger children to mind, creative, expressive, and relationship-based approaches remain powerful tools for older children and teens as well.

Because play, creativity, and expression are natural ways children and adolescents communicate and process experiences, therapy can help young people safely explore emotions, build coping skills, strengthen relationships, and work through difficult experiences in ways that feel supportive and age-appropriate.

What should I look for when choosing a play therapist?

Not all therapists who work with children are trained in play therapy. When selecting a play therapist, it can be helpful to ask about the clinician's training in child development, attachment, trauma, and play therapy theories and interventions. You may also ask whether the therapist has received specialized supervision, advanced training, or credentialing in play therapy.

It is important to understand how the therapist uses play within sessions. Some clinicians may use toys or games simply to help children feel more comfortable talking, while play therapists recognize that play itself is the intervention and a child's natural form of communication.

A strong therapeutic relationship between the child, family, and therapist is also an important part of the healing process. Parents should feel comfortable asking questions about a therapist's approach, parent involvement, communication style, and experience working with concerns similar to their child's needs.

Am I involved in my child's therapy sessions?

Yes. Parents and caregivers are an important part of the therapy process, and we view treatment as a collaborative team approach. While the structure of sessions may vary depending on your child's age, developmental needs, and treatment goals, parent involvement is an essential part of supporting lasting progress.

Throughout therapy, we work closely with parents to help you understand what your child is learning and practicing in sessions, while also providing tools and strategies that can be supported at home. Children make the strongest gains when the important adults in their lives are actively involved and supported in the process.

We also rely on open and ongoing communication with parents and caregivers. Your observations, concerns, and insights help us better understand your child's needs and tailor treatment in meaningful ways.

In addition to your child's sessions, clinicians meet regularly with parents or caregivers to discuss progress, answer questions, and provide support and guidance. The frequency and structure of these parent sessions will be determined collaboratively between you and your clinician based on your family's needs and goals.

What should I tell my child about therapy?

It is often most helpful to explain therapy in a simple, calm, and reassuring way. You might say something like, "You are going to meet with someone whose job is to help kids with feelings, worries, and hard things." It is important to be honest with your child both about coming to therapy and about the reasons they are coming, while keeping explanations developmentally appropriate and supportive.

Avoid framing therapy as punishment or focusing only on behaviors. Instead, emphasize that therapy is a safe place where children can express themselves, build coping skills, and receive support. Children often feel more comfortable and trusting when the adults around them are open, calm, and honest about the therapy process.

What if my child does not want to come to therapy?

It is common for some children to feel unsure, nervous, or resistant at first, especially when entering a new environment or meeting someone unfamiliar. Building trust and safety takes time. Our clinicians work carefully to create a warm, supportive, and developmentally appropriate environment where children can feel comfortable at their own pace. Parent support and consistency are often important parts of helping children adjust to the therapy process.

How often will my child attend sessions?

Most children begin therapy with weekly sessions, as consistency is important in building trust, safety, and momentum in the therapeutic process. Over time, the frequency of sessions may change depending on your child's needs and progress.

How long does therapy usually last?

The length of therapy varies depending on your child's needs, goals, developmental level, and life circumstances. Some children benefit from short-term support around a specific concern, while others may benefit from longer-term therapy to address more complex emotional, behavioral, or relational challenges. Your clinician will regularly review progress and collaborate with you throughout the process.

How will I know if therapy is helping?

Progress in therapy can look different for every child. Some children show improvements through behavior, emotional regulation, communication, confidence, relationships, or coping skills. Other times progress may appear more gradual or subtle. Throughout the process, clinicians collaborate closely with parents to discuss observations, growth, challenges, and treatment goals while adjusting support as needed.

Can therapy be used for custody evaluations, court recommendations, or legal reports?

The primary role of therapy at the Mossman Play Therapy Center is to support the emotional health, healing, and well being of children and families, not to provide custody evaluations, recommendations regarding parental fitness, or opinions for ongoing legal disputes.

Our clinicians do not conduct forensic evaluations or make custody recommendations for the court. Families seeking services specifically for litigation purposes, custody evaluations, or expert court testimony may be better served by a provider who specializes in forensic or court involved evaluations.

We strongly believe that a child's therapy should remain a safe and protected space and that, whenever possible, a child's treatment should not be drawn into adult legal matters. If records are subpoenaed or there is an attempt to involve a clinician in legal proceedings, the practice will seek legal counsel in order to protect the integrity of the therapeutic process and the child's confidentiality whenever possible. Families are financially responsible for all fees associated with legal consultation, record review, preparation, or court related involvement.

What happens if divorced or separated parents disagree about therapy?

Whenever possible, we encourage parents and caregivers to work collaboratively in support of their child's emotional well being. Depending on custody arrangements and the circumstances of treatment, consent from both legal guardians may be required prior to initiating services. Families involved in active custody disputes may be referred to providers or evaluators who specialize in court involved matters when appropriate.

Can separated or divorced parents both participate in treatment?

When clinically appropriate and consistent with legal custody arrangements, we encourage caregiver involvement in ways that support the child's emotional well being and treatment goals. The structure of communication and participation may vary depending on family dynamics, court orders, and the clinical needs of the child.

What is a prelicensed master's level clinician?

At the Mossman Play Therapy Center, we carefully select prelicensed clinicians based on their experience working with children and families, specialized training, and commitment to developmentally informed care.

Prelicensed clinicians have completed their Master's degree in social work or mental health counseling and are working toward independent licensure in Massachusetts. They work under the supervision of one of our independently licensed clinicians, receiving weekly clinical supervision and support to ensure high-quality care for the families they serve.

What if I want medication for myself or my child?

The Mossman Play Therapy Center does not prescribe medication. There are times, however, when symptoms may interfere with a person's ability to fully engage in the therapeutic process. If concerns about medication arise, we will discuss them collaboratively and can provide referrals to trusted medical providers or prescribers when appropriate.

Is there a waitlist?

We do not maintain a formal waitlist, as it is difficult to predict when openings may become available. Families are encouraged to check our website regularly regarding current availability.