What is
Play Therapy?
And why choose this for my child?
Children's play has intrinsic value, Albert Einstein stating that "Play is the highest form of research." It is a natural and necessary part of human development, growth, learning, and relationships.
​
Just as talk therapy helps adults to process, express, and regulate their thoughts and emotions, play does the same for children. For children toys are their words and play is their language.
Children are not miniature adults, so working with them on a developmentally appropriate level makes a world of difference. This, in short, is play therapy.
​
Why Play?
The Association for Play Therapy states that play is a natural process that:
Builds trust and mastery
Fosters learning and acceptable behaviors
Identifies and regulates emotions
Reduces anxieties
Promotes creative thinking/problem solving
Encourages open communication
Elevates spirit and self-esteem
About the Owner
Naturally empathic and passionate about holistic health, Hannah Miller is a Clinical Mental Health Counselor serving adults in private practice, and children/parents through client-centered psychotherapy and play therapy. As a social justice advocate, Hannah prioritizes equity and observes human experiences through an open, accepting, and multicultural lens. She is dedicated to providing a warm empathic space for children to develop, grow, and connect with their most authentic selves.
​
Hannah Miller's Background
Education
After undergraduate studies at Clemson University, Hannah pursued her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Gordon-Conwell in Charlotte, North Carolina.
​
Certificates
Hannah is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LPC) in South Carolina. She is also working towards becoming a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) and is a member of the Association for Play Therapy.
​
Specialization
Hannah specializes in work with individuals and young children using Client-Centered Play-Therapy. She works with anxiety, depression, life transitions, emotional dysregulation, behavioral problems, and identity work.
Emily Arzani's Background
Education
Emily graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Appalachian State University, before pursuing a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling from Gordon-Conwell in Charlotte, North Carolina.
​
Certificates
Emily is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LPC) licensed in South Carolina. She hopes to become a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) and Supervisor for provisionally licensed clinicians.
​
Specialization
Emily specializes in working with children and adolescents, as well as with parent relationships. She works with many mental health and emotional issues including anxiety, behavioral issues, depression, foster and adoptive care, parenting issues, grief, and trauma.
Hannah Bruce's Background
Education
Hannah attended the University of South Carolina and Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland for her undergraduate studies before receiving her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (with a specialization in Child and Adolescent Counseling) at the University of Northern Colorado.
​
Certificates
Hannah is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in both South Carolina and Colorado. She also aspires to become a Registered Play Therapist (RPT).
​
Specialization
Hannah specializes in using creative techniques such as Child-Centered Play Therapy, Experiential Play Therapy, Sandtray Therapy, and Art Therapy, also specializing in working with trauma in young children. Hannah sees all ages experiencing anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, self-esteem concerns, and life transitions.
Jessica Stein's Background
Education
Jessica completed undergraduate studies at Franklin & Marshall College. She received a Masters in Health Advocacy from Sarah Lawrence College and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
​
Certificates
Jessica is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in South Carolina and will soon secure her LISW-CP.
​
Specialization
Jessica specializes in working with young children, adolescents, teens, along with their parents on a variety of mental and emotional issues. She works with anxiety, depression, transitions, behavioral issues, trauma, identity work, self-esteem, foster care adoption.
Who We Help
The Play Therapy Center's clinicians are clinicians for every child in any family whom wishes to more fully encounter themselves and their purpose in the world. We see children with anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties, behavioral concerns, and more.
How We Do It
We utilize Client-Centered Play Therapy, Play-Based Occupational Therapy, and Parent Coaching/Training to meet children at their developmental level to build self-esteem and self-concept, build trust and mastery skills, foster learning and acceptable behaviors, identify and regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and more.
What's in It for You
Your decision to pursue therapy for yourself as parents or for your child will allow them to heal, grow, and thrive in their own life story and identity as they develop into adolescence. Play therapy benefits not only the child, but the parents and the family system as well.