ABOUT PLAY THERAPY & COUNSELING  

CENTER OF HAWAII, LLC

The Play Therapy & Counseling Center of Hawaii, LLC provides psychotherapeutic treatment of children, adolescents, and families utilizing play therapy.  Play therapy refers to an array of clinical treatment methods, all of which make use of the natural language of children, which is play. The Center also provides training for mental health professionals seeking to learn the art and skill of play therapy.

 

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The therapists at the Play Therapy and Counseling Center of Hawaii treat children who may experiencing a wide variety of social, emotional, behavioral and learning challenges, which may include:  Trauma, death and loss, divorce, ADHD, school adjustment, neurological/medical conditions, learning disabilities, regulatory disorders, sensory processing issues, adoption, relocation/separation, anxiety, PTSD, as well as adjustment to family changes, such as the birth of a new sibling. Through the use of play therapy, sandplay therapy, art therapy, and Theraplay, our clinical staff uses the most developmentally appropriate interventions to access the inner world of the child.  Within the child’s inner world lies his or her truth.  Once we know that truth, we are better able to intervene appropriately.  Play therapy allows children to express their feelings and thoughts through play, while also allowing them to maintain a safe psychological distance from their problems. Research supports the effectiveness of play therapy as an evidence-based practice in working with children.  We seek to help the child master anxiety through play, help parents gain insight to their child, and strengthen parent-child and family bonds to promote a more secure attachment.  We also seek to work with the family, as the crucible to the child’s growth and healing is the family.

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Healing occurs from the inside out.  We believe as Virginia Axline (Play Therapy, 1947) that all meaningful change occurs from within.  We want to help each parent answer the question: “Why is my child behaving this way now?”  Children respond very positively to this special setting and to the special relationship with the therapist.  We can teach parents how to apply these principles at home during special child/parent playtime known as Filial Play Therapy. Treatment goals and interventions are shared with parents who are part of the treatment team. Most major insurances are accepted and we welcome our military families.

 

For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Gina Eustaquio, LMHC,

at (808) 261-0066 or email me gina@playtherapycenterhi.com. 

 

To learn more about play therapy, visit the Association for Play Therapy at www.a4pt.org and the Hawaii Association for Play Therapy at www.hawaiiplaytherapy.net.