Allison Kagay, LMHC-D, BCPCC, CCPT, Registered Play Therapist™

Hi, I’m Allison Kagay, LMHC-D, BCPCC, CCPT, Registered Play Therapist™. I provide Child-Centered Play Therapy for children and adolescents ages 3+ while partnering with families throughout the therapeutic process. I specialize in supporting children experiencing anxiety, ADHD, trauma and stressful life experiences, emotional regulation difficulties, behavioral challenges, family transitions, self-esteem concerns, and attachment-related needs. My approach is rooted in the belief that children communicate, process experiences, and grow through play. Children do not always have the words to explain what they are feeling or experiencing. Child-Centered Play Therapy provides a safe, accepting, and developmentally appropriate environment where children can express themselves through their natural language of play. Within this therapeutic relationship, children are given the freedom to explore feelings and experiences, develop confidence, strengthen emotional regulation and coping skills, practice problem-solving, and build a greater sense of emotional safety and connection. I believe children are capable and resourceful and have an innate capacity for growth when they feel safe, understood, and accepted. Rather than focusing only on symptoms or behaviors, I seek to understand the whole child and honor each child’s unique personality, strengths, experiences, and needs. Parents and caregivers are also an important part of the therapeutic process. I value working collaboratively with families to better understand their child’s emotional and developmental needs and to support meaningful growth both inside and outside of the playroom. _____________________________________________________ The Benefits of Play Therapy Through Child-Centered Play Therapy, children may experience growth in areas such as emotional expression, self-regulation, confidence and self-esteem, coping and problem-solving skills, self-control, relationships, and overall emotional well-being. Play can also provide children with a developmentally appropriate way to process difficult experiences, life changes, loss, anxiety, and other stressors when talking about them directly may be difficult. _____________________________________________________ What Makes Child-Centered Play Therapy Different? Child-Centered Play Therapy is not simply playing with a therapist. It is an established therapeutic approach in which play becomes the child's primary means of communication and expression. The approach is: ~Child-led The child is given appropriate freedom to lead the therapeutic play rather than being expected to talk about predetermined topics. ~Developmentally appropriate Therapy meets children at their developmental level and recognizes that children often communicate differently from adults. ~Relationship-based The therapeutic relationship provides acceptance, consistency, understanding, and emotional safety. ~Focused on the whole child The therapeutic process supports emotional, behavioral, relational, and developmental growth rather than focusing only on a single symptom. ~Strength-based Children are viewed as capable individuals with strengths and an inherent capacity for growth. ~Supporting Children and Their Families Although the child is at the center of play therapy, parents and caregivers are an important part of the therapeutic process. ~Parent and caregiver consultations provide opportunities to discuss concerns, understand your child's emotional and developmental needs, review progress, and explore ways to support your child outside of therapy. ~The goal is not only to support what happens inside the playroom, but to help children experience greater confidence, regulation, emotional safety, and connection in their everyday lives. _____________________________________________________ A Place to Feel Safe, Seen & Accepted Children do not need to have all the right words when they enter the playroom. They need a relationship and environment in which they can safely be themselves. When children feel safe, seen, understood, and accepted, they are given the freedom to explore, express, heal, and grow through the power of play.