Therapy at Rocky Mountain Art and Play Center

Where Big Feelings Become Brighter Futures

Gentle, evidence-informed care for children and families

At Rocky Mountain Art & Play Center, we help children transform overwhelm into skills and confidence—one playful, meaningful session at a time. Our team brings over 45 years of combined experience supporting kids with anxiety, ADHD, ODD, attachment challenges, school stress, disability-related needs, and big emotions. We blend Play Therapy with expressive arts, Montessori-informed strategies, and depth-psychology wisdom to meet each child exactly where they are.

What is Play Therapy?

Play Therapy is a developmentally appropriate form of psychotherapy for children. Through toys, stories, sand, art, movement, and imagination, kids express what words can’t yet hold. In the safety of the playroom, they practice problem-solving, emotional regulation, flexible thinking, and healthy communication—skills they can bring home and to school.

Why play?
Because play is a child’s natural language. In play, the nervous system softens, curiosity awakens, and new patterns take root.

Who We Help

We provide individualized sessions for children experiencing:

• Anxiety, separation anxiety, and worries about school or peers

• ADHD, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and focus challenges

• ODD, defiance, meltdowns, and emotional dysregulation

• Attachment-related struggles, grief, and big life transitions

• Disability-related challenges and sensory needs

• Mood concerns, low confidence, and social skills delays

• Ages typically served: toddlers through pre-teens (and teens as appropriate). Parent coaching is available for all ages.

How Our Play Therapy Works

1) Thoughtful Intake & Assessment

We begin with a parent consultation to understand strengths, concerns, history, and goals. When helpful, we offer Assessment & Identification to clarify learning, attention, social-emotional, and sensory profiles—so care plans truly fit your child.

2) Individual Play Sessions

Children meet with a dedicated clinician in a warm, well-equipped play space (sandtray, art, stories, building, movement). Sessions focus on regulation, expression, and practicing new behaviors safely.

3) Parent Collaboration

You’re the most important person in your child’s growth. We provide coaching, home strategies, and school-friendly tools so progress sticks beyond the playroom.

4) Review & Refine

We set clear goals, track wins, and adjust supports as your child grows. You’ll always know what we’re working on and why.

Our Integrated Approach

Every child is unique. We craft a personalized blend of:

• Child-Centered Play Therapy & Sandplay 

Choice, safety, and symbolic play allow children to express experiences that may be difficult to put into words while building confidence and emotional resilience. 

• Expressive Arts & Movement Therapy 

Drawing, storytelling, music, and movement help children process emotions, release stress, and rehearse healthy coping strategies. 

• Attachment-Based & Relational Work 

Guided interactions help children and caregivers strengthen connection, practice repair after conflict, and build emotional safety in relationships. 

• Montessori-Informed Structure 

Predictable routines, hands-on materials, and independence-building activities help children feel competent, capable, and secure. 

• Depth Psychology & Imaginal Approaches

Using metaphor, symbolism, and storytelling children explore their inner emotional world through imagination and play and through a symbolic emotional mapping system as a way to work with feelings they have. 

• Polyvagal-Informed Nervous System 

Regulation Body-based tools such as breathing, rhythm, sensory grounding, and bilateral movement help calm the nervous system and support emotional regulation. 

• Mindfulness & Emotional Regulation Skills 

Children learn practical tools for noticing thoughts and feelings, calming their bodies, and responding to challenges in healthy ways. 

• CBT, DBT & ACT-Informed Coping Skills 

Evidence-based strategies help children develop flexible thinking, distress tolerance, problem-solving skills, and values-based decision making. 

• Parent Coaching & Family Support 

Parents learn practical strategies to support emotional regulation, strengthen connection, and reinforce skills at home.

Goals Kids Work Toward

• Name feelings and needs

• Use “calm-down” tools before a meltdown

• Wait, take turns, and handle “no” without losing control

• Repair after conflict (apologize, rebuild trust)

• Ask for help and advocate at school

• Grow confidence, resilience, and self-compassion

Why Families Choose Us

• Whole-child lens: Behavior is communication; we listen to what’s underneath.

• Creative, developmentally smart: Play and arts meet kids where they learn best.

• Parent partnership: Practical tools you can use the same day.

• Experienced team: 45+ years combined in children’s mental health.

• Trauma-aware & neurodiversity-affirming: Safety, dignity, and strengths first.

• Aligned with home & school: We collaborate with your village.
  
  

What a First Month Can Look Like

• Week 1: Parent consult + gentle child intake play session

• Week 2: Regulation and relationship-building through play

• Week 3: Targeted skill practice (transitions, frustration tolerance, repair)

• Week 4: Parent coaching + progress check + home plan refresh
  
  

Get Started

Ready to help your child turn big feelings into brighter futures?