Children experience stress, anxiety, grief, and life changes just like adults do, but they often show it through behavior rather than words. Child and play therapy helps children work through big emotions, worries, and behavior challenges in the language they know best: play.
At Olive Branch Laine Therapy, we provide child counseling and play therapy for children beginning at age 4 in Leander, Cedar Park, Liberty Hill, Georgetown, and the surrounding communities. Our therapy room is designed to feel safe, welcoming, and just for them.
Children don't always have the words for what they're feeling, and they shouldn't have to. Through play, art, stories, and connection, we help kids make sense of their world, build coping skills, and feel more like themselves again while keeping you, their caregiver, closely involved in the process.
What is play therapy?
Play is how children think, process experiences, and communicate. Play therapy uses that natural language to help children express what's difficult to say out loud, process challenging experiences, practice new coping skills, and develop confidence.
A trained child therapist follows your child's lead while thoughtfully guiding sessions toward the goals that brought your family to therapy.
From the outside, it may look like "just playing." In reality, every activity has a purpose. Toys, games, art, movement, and imaginative play become tools for helping children regulate emotions, solve problems, and build healthier ways of responding to life's challenges.
Signs your child may benefit from therapy
Families often reach out when they notice their child struggling with:
- Anxiety, excessive worry, or fears
- Frequent meltdowns or difficulty managing emotions
- Anger or behavioral challenges at home or school
- Difficulty adjusting to divorce, separation, moving, or a new sibling
- Grief or loss
- Low self-esteem or lack of confidence
- Friendship difficulties or social anxiety
- School stress or school refusal
- ADHD-related emotional or behavioral challenges
- Trauma or stressful experiences
You don't have to wait until things feel like a crisis. Many families begin therapy simply because they want their child to have extra support and healthy coping skills.
What happens during child therapy?
Many children feel uncertain about therapy at first, and that's completely normal.
Rather than expecting children to sit on a couch and talk about their feelings, we build trust through play, creativity, games, movement, and conversation. As your child becomes more comfortable, therapy naturally incorporates emotional awareness, coping skills, communication, confidence-building, and problem-solving in ways that feel engaging instead of overwhelming.
Our goal is for therapy to become a place your child feels safe, understood, and genuinely excited to attend.
Parent involvement matters
Parents and caregivers are one of the most important parts of a child's success in therapy.
Depending on your child's age and treatment goals, you may participate through:
- Parent consultations
- Coaching and skill-building
- Family sessions
- Regular progress updates
- Strategies to use at home
Children make the greatest progress when the important adults in their lives feel supported too.
For younger children (approximately ages 2–7) experiencing significant behavioral challenges, we also offer Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), an evidence-based treatment that coaches caregivers in real time to strengthen connection and improve behavior.
What ages do you work with?
- Ages 2–7: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
- Ages 4–12: Individual child and play therapy
- Teens
- Young adults
- Adults
- Families
Because we serve every stage of life, your family can continue receiving support as your needs change over time.
Frequently asked questions
Does my child have to like playing?
Not at all. Every child is different. Some children enjoy imaginative play, while others prefer art, games, movement, building activities, or conversation. Therapy is tailored to your child's personality and developmental level.
Will you tell me everything my child says?
Children need a space where they feel emotionally safe. We protect that trust while keeping parents informed about themes, progress, concerns, and ways to support growth at home.
How long does child therapy take?
Every child is different. Some children benefit from short-term support around a specific concern, while others benefit from longer-term therapy depending on their goals and circumstances. We offer child and play therapy in the Leander area, with telehealth available across Texas.
Getting started
Taking the first step can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to have everything figured out before reaching out.
We'll begin with a free 15-minute consultation or an initial appointment to learn more about your child, answer your questions, and figure out the best next step. Together, we'll create a plan that helps your child feel understood, supported, and confident.