Therapy Services

The AutPlay framework is a neurodiversity therapy paradigm designed to assist child and play therapists in addressing the mental health needs of neurodivergent children ages 3-18, including those who are autistic, have ADHD, experience social anxiety, have sensory differences, learning differences, or developmental and physical disabilities. This framework also supports the provision of play therapy and telehealth services to reach a wider range of children.

Theraplay is an approach to child and family therapy that focuses on addressing behavioral, emotional, or developmental issues. Through play therapy and healthy interaction, it aims to improve the parent-child relationship. This method is particularly beneficial in the context of neurodiversity therapy and can also be facilitated through telehealth services for greater accessibility.

An Adlerian play therapist will provide space for both child-led and counselor-led activities throughout the neurodiversity therapy services to help the child make progress in self-concept, sense of connectedness to others, and overall sense of empowerment. The overarching goal of play therapy, particularly in a telehealth services format, is to support the child’s shift in beliefs about themselves, others, and the world to help them feel more successful personally and in relationships with others. Outcomes following this approach include decreased symptomatic behaviors and improvement in overall functioning.

Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) is a 12 session modality grounded in social cognitive theory that focuses on how traumatic events can alter an individual's views of themselves, the world, and others, particularly in the areas of safety, trust, control, esteem, and intimacy. This approach can be complemented by neurodiversity therapy and play therapy, and is increasingly available through telehealth services to ensure broader access.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an action-oriented approach to psychotherapy that stems from traditional behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. This method is particularly beneficial in contexts such as neurodiversity therapy, where clients learn to stop avoiding, denying, and struggling with their inner emotions. Instead, they accept that these deeper feelings are appropriate responses to certain situations that should not prevent them from moving forward in their lives. With this understanding, clients begin to accept their hardships and commit to making necessary changes in their behavior, regardless of what is going on in their lives and how they feel about it. Additionally, ACT can be effectively delivered through telehealth services, making it accessible to more individuals. In some cases, incorporating play therapy techniques can further enhance the therapeutic process, especially for younger clients.

SPACE aims to treat children and adolescents with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder through innovative approaches like neurodiversity therapy and play therapy. Although children do not have to attend SPACE sessions – they are the patients! When SPACE treatment is successful, children feel less anxious and function better following treatment, whether through in-person visits or telehealth services. 

Some of the main anxiety problems treated with SPACE include: 

- Separation anxiety 

- Social anxiety 

- Generalized anxiety 

- Fears and phobias 

- Panic disorder and agoraphobia 

- Selective mutism 

- Obsessive-compulsive disorder

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a cutting-edge modality created to help clients heal from distressing memories and traumatic experiences that remain trapped within the brain. Rather than requiring a detailed discussion of trauma with a counselor, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy targets the brain’s natural healing abilities, allowing clients to process and release the emotional pain associated with past events. EMDR therapy offers a path to feeling grounded and whole again, no longer encumbered by the effects of trauma.