Play Therapy for Children in Surrey, BC
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Play therapy at Sojourn Counselling and Neurofeedback in Surrey, BC helps children express emotions, process difficult experiences, and build healthier coping skills through developmentally appropriate therapeutic play. Our child therapists create a safe, supportive environment where children can explore feelings related to anxiety, behavioural challenges, trauma, emotional regulation, family changes, and social difficulties.
Helping Children Heal Through Play
Providing a safe, supportive space where children express, process, and grow.
What is Play Therapy?
Children often lack the words to express complex emotions, but through play, they can communicate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a natural and comfortable way. Play therapy is a specialized form of child therapy that helps children explore their emotions, develop coping skills, and process difficult experiences.
At Sojourn Counselling, our child therapists create a nurturing and engaging environment where children can express themselves freely using toys, art, and storytelling. This evidence-based approach is particularly effective for children struggling with anxiety, trauma, behavioural challenges, grief, and other emotional difficulties.
Who Benefits from Play Therapy?
Play therapy is designed for children aged 3–12 who may be experiencing:
- Anxiety or excessive worry
- Emotional or behavioural challenges
- Difficulty adjusting to life changes (divorce, adoption, moving)
- Trauma, grief, or loss
- Social difficulties, such as trouble making or maintaining friendships
- Attention or regulation difficulties, including ADHD
- School-related stress or bullying
If your child is struggling with emotions or behaviours that interfere with daily life, children’s counselling can help them build resilience, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and improve their overall well-being.
How Play Therapy Works
Play therapy provides children with a safe and structured space to explore their feelings and experiences through play. Our child therapists guide children using various therapeutic techniques, including:
- Sand Tray Therapy: Children create scenes in a sand tray to express emotions and process experiences.
- Art and Creative Expression: Drawing, painting, and sculpting help children express emotions nonverbally.
- Puppetry and Role-Play: Playing with dolls and puppets allows children to act out scenarios in a safe environment.
- Storytelling and Metaphors: Therapists use stories to help children understand and work through challenges.
- Sensory-Based Activities: Engaging the senses through play can help regulate emotions and reduce stress.
Each session is tailored to meet the unique needs of your child, ensuring they feel understood and supported throughout their therapeutic journey.
The Benefits of Play Therapy
Play therapy can lead to significant emotional and behavioural improvements, including:
- Increased emotional expression and self-awareness
- Enhanced coping skills and emotional regulation
- Improved self-esteem and confidence
- Strengthened relationships with family and peers
- Healing from trauma in a developmentally appropriate way
Our Approach at Sojourn Counselling
At Sojourn Counselling, we take a compassionate, child-centred approach to play therapy. Our child therapists are trained in trauma-informed, attachment-based, and evidence-supported techniques to help children feel safe and empowered.
Parent Involvement & Support
We recognize the importance of collaboration with parents and caregivers. Our therapists provide guidance on how to support your child’s emotional well-being at home. Through parent check-ins and recommendations, we help you strengthen the connection with your child and reinforce their progress.
When to Seek Play Therapy
If you notice persistent emotional or behavioural struggles in your child, it may be time to consider children’s counselling. Signs that your child could benefit from play therapy include:
- Frequent anxiety or fears that interfere with daily life
- Difficulty managing emotions, such as frequent outbursts or withdrawal
- Changes in behaviour following a stressful event
- Trouble with social interactions or making friends
- Problems with concentration or impulsivity
Early intervention can make a significant difference in your child’s emotional and mental well-being.
What to Expect
- Initial Consultation: A session with parents to understand the child’s needs and background.
- Individual Play Therapy Sessions: One-on-one sessions where the therapist tailors activities to the child’s needs.
- Parent Check-Ins: Regular updates and recommendations for supporting your child at home.
Each child’s journey is unique, and our therapists work at a pace that feels comfortable and safe for them.
Get Started with Play Therapy
If you’re looking for a compassionate and experienced child therapist, we’re here to help. Our team at Sojourn Counselling provides child therapy in a supportive and nurturing environment, helping children overcome emotional challenges and build resilience.
Book a First Session Today and take the first step toward helping your child thrive.
Meet Our Play Therapy Team
Sarah Ball
At Sojourn Counselling, we are glad to have Sarah Ball as one of the counsellors offering play-based support for children. Sarah is a Master’s level intern counsellor studying Couples and Family Therapy at Trinity Western University, and she works with children, parents, and families through a warm, trauma-informed, and attachment-based approach.
In her sessions with children, Sarah draws on play therapy, sand tray, and somatic and nervous system co-regulation techniques to help young clients express what can be hard to put into words. She offers a safe, attuned space where children can feel understood and supported as they explore their emotions and build coping skills.
Sarah provides low-cost counselling in Surrey and online across British Columbia, which can help make ongoing support more accessible for families. Book online or telephone counselling.
Loretta Thorgeirson
At Sojourn Counselling, we are proud to have Loretta as one of our dedicated Play Therapy specialists. With over 20 years of experience working with children and youth in school and community settings, Loretta brings a deep understanding of child development and emotional well-being to her practice.
As a School Counsellor and former Integration Support Teacher, Loretta has worked closely with children who have neurodiverse needs, including autism, FASD, and ADHD. Her trauma-informed approach ensures that children feel safe, heard, and supported as they navigate their emotions and challenges.
Loretta integrates various therapeutic modalities into her sessions, including EMDR, Neurofeedback, CBT, Mindfulness, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy. When working with children, she uses Play Therapy techniques to foster a positive connection, helping them process emotions in a way that feels natural and accessible.
Loretta supports children, youth, and adults dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, self-esteem issues, grief and loss, and life or cultural transitions. She is passionate about creating a space where children can heal and thrive, and she would be honoured to walk alongside your child on their journey to emotional well-being.
Tarnia Pickard
Tarnia Pickard is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who works with children, youth, and families at Sojourn Counselling and Neurofeedback in Surrey, BC.
She offers play therapy and child counselling in a warm, supportive environment where children can safely express emotions and develop healthy coping skills.
Tarnia supports children experiencing anxiety, behavioural challenges, emotional regulation difficulties, trauma, and family transitions using developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed approaches.
Her work is grounded in connection, creativity, and helping children feel understood, secure, and empowered as they grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if play therapy is right for my child?
How long does play therapy take?
Do parents participate in sessions?
Will insurance cover play therapy?
Is Your Child Autistic? Funding May Help Cover Counselling
BC’s Autism Funding Program provides up to $22,000 per year for children under 6 and up to $6,000 per year for ages 6 to 18, and family counselling with a Registered Clinical Counsellor is a named eligible expense. Grants from Variety BC and other programs can also help. Read our parent’s guide to autism funding in BC, including how to apply step by step. We can provide the receipts and documentation your funding plan requires.
Related Support for Children and Families
Play therapy is one of several ways we support children and families at Sojourn. Depending on your child’s age and needs, these services may also be a fit:
- Child and Youth Counselling — talk based counselling for older children and teens
- Family Counselling — support for the whole family system
- ADHD Counselling — support for attention, regulation, and school stress
- Low Cost Counselling — affordable sessions with supervised intern counsellors
From Our Blog
Helpful reads for parents considering counselling: