Clair Mellenthin

Child and Family Therapist

Get On The Floor And Play!

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We all understand that it’s important to play with our children, but did you know that you can have even more of an impact when you physically get down on the floor with them? It’s true!

Being on the floor in closer proximity to your children helps them feel seen and heard. Parents should put their phones away, get down on the carpet or the ground, and give their kiddos that individualized attention they need. Let the child be the boss and direct the play. This is so important for their brain development, gross and fine motor skills, and also the development of their social abilities and other skills they’ll need throughout their life.

Research shows that all kids really need is 20 minutes a week playing with their parents. That’s very little time, and we can certainly do that and even do more. Getting on the floor to play with your child can help create a deeper bond and give your child experiences that they’ll always remember.

Celebrating Play Therapy Week!

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We are celebrating play therapy week! Many parents still don’t quite know what this type of therapy entails or how it could benefit their children. Here is some helpful information about play therapy:

What Is It?

Play therapy is a kind of therapy that gets away from the traditional method of sitting in a chair and talking to a counselor. Instead of using just words, play therapists provide toys, artwork, games, and other physical means to allow participants to explore certain topics and express their feelings. Play therapy works with the developmental level of a child, teen, or adult who perhaps doesn’t have the language capacity to articulate emotions or difficult experiences.Continue Reading

Helping Children Cope With Grief

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Death of a loved one is a natural part of our human experience, but it can be very confusing for children. Grief and loss is a complicated experience for adults, let alone young children.  They often do not have the language to articulate their feelings nor do they know how to cope with such painful emotions. Here are some ways to help children who are dealing with grief and loss.Continue Reading

When Your Holidays Aren’t Jolly

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right? Not necessarily. The winter months can be a time of Christmas cheer, loving family gatherings, and delicious food, but they can unfortunately also be a very lonely, painful time for some people. Grief, trauma, and tragedy are all parts of the human experience that can be exacerbated in the winter, especially when so many people around us seem cheerful. Here are some strategies to hope if your holidays aren’t particularly jolly:Continue Reading