Wonders Counseling Blog
Helping Tweens with Play Therapy Interventions
Play therapy is an effective way in helping tweens through the struggles of transitioning from childhood to adolescence. Although there are different schools of thought, for the purposes of this article, we will consider tweens to be ages 10-12 (give or take a year...
Finding Your Life Purpose: 7 Step Blueprint
Finding purpose in life can be a daunting process, nevertheless it's a process that will reap substantial benefits. I was recently discussing this very topic with one of my life design coaching clients who is in her late 40s. She was feeling frustrated and discouraged...
4 Strategies to Win Against Work Burnout
If you're feeling exhausted…physically, mentally, and emotionally… you may be feeling the effects of work burnout. It's a common condition that often goes unnoticed until it leads to other health concerns. There is a recent survey on burnout that found almost...
A Children’s Book About Adoption From a Puppy’s Perspective
Luci's Yellow Butterfly is a children's book about adoption from a puppy's perspective written by Cindy Hammonds who participated in my 2022 Children's Book Writing Circle! This is a heart-warming, lilting, rhyming book about a sweet pup who is the last of her litter...
Helping Parents Understand How and Why Play Therapy Works
It is natural for parents to feel curious and inquisitive about how and why a trained mental health professional would choose to play with their child as a central mechanism for providing therapy services. Helping parents learn how and why play therapy works is...
Children’s Books About Big Changes
When things happen in life like divorce, moving to a new house, changing schools, death of a loved one or times of emergency, having children's books about big changes can come in handy for helping children not feel so alone. In this post, I am providing some of my...
Helping Children Learn to Slow Down
Helping children learn to slow down is best achieved through playful and creative means. Author Joelle Harrison who participated in my 2022 Children's Book Writing Circle has written and published the most fun and effective children's book that will help child...
Self-Care: The Importance of Subtraction
Self-care may be something different than what you've been thinking it is. If you’re like most people, your daily schedule is jam-packed full of demands and to-dos. From the time you wake up until the time you fall asleep, you’re either taking care of others or...
Dora Henderson’s Playful Books
Dora Henderson's playful books are well worth exploring. Dora is on a mission - and a playful one at that. The best way for children to learn, grow and heal is through playful and creative activities and that's what these books are all about. Dora Henderson is a...
Children Need More 3-Dimensional Play and Less Time on Screens
I am here today to assert my opinion that children need more 3-dimensional play and less time on screens.I recently published an article called 7 Ways for Helping Children & Teens Step Away From Screens. I do believe that technology is a WONDER and we are so...
Learn Sandtray with Rita Grayson
As a child and family therapist, one of my most meaningful training experiences over the many years I have been a therapist was with Rita Grayson, LCSW, RPT-S. Rita is the founder of Sage Source Learning Center where she provides a neuro-biological approach to using...
7 Ways for Helping Children & Teens Step Away From Screens
Helping children and teens step away from screens is not about giving up technology. Technology is a wonder! We live in a high tech world and technology has facilitated so many important advances for humanity. I have a growing concern, however, that as a society we...
A Spotlight on AutPlay Therapy
I recently completed my training and certification in AutPlay® Therapy and I am eager to help others learn more about this approach for helping neurodivergent children and adolescents by providing a spotlight on AutPlay® Therapy! This model was created by Dr. Robert...
Therapy Activities for Kids
Therapy Activities for Kids. Those four words were what I plugged into the search box when I was looking for free and low cost resources for my weekly resource newsletter for therapists that goes out to therapists all over the world. If you have been following me for...
The Midlife Self-Discovery Workbook
I am thrilled to announce the publication of my new work called The Midlife Self-Discovery Workbook! I am most well known for my work with children and families providing play therapy and my contributions to the field of play therapy as a trainer, supervisor,...
The Creative Process of Books and Products
I had the honor of getting to know Tammi Van Hollander in 2018 and 2019 and I have followed her work in the world of Child Therapy and Play Therapy very closely. I was thrilled to get to speak with her recently about her experience with the creative process of books...
Books for Play Therapy Techniques and Interventions
In this article, I am providing a short list of some of my favorite books for play therapy techniques and interventions you can use with child clients. This is not at all a comprehensive list! But you will find a lot of great information in these I am listing. I hope...
Recommended Books About Treating Anxiety Disorders
This is a very short list of some of my recommended books about treating anxiety disorders. OCD, Trichotillomania, Selective Mutism and Separation Anxiety Disorder are some of the tough anxiety disorders I have treated over the past 20 years. In my consultations with...