General Counseling Questions

What is counseling, and how can it help?

At Nurtured Play Studio, counseling is a nurturing, collaborative process designed to support emotional growth, self-expression, and well-being, especially for children and families. We see therapy as a relationship built on trust, empathy, and curiosity. Through creative and connection-based methods, we help clients explore challenges, build resilience, and discover their unique strengths.

Whether a child is working through big feelings, behavior struggles, trauma, or just needs a safe space to be heard, counseling provides a supportive space to grow at their own pace, in their own way.

Counseling isn’t just for when things feel “hard.” Many families seek support to strengthen relationships, improve emotional regulation, or create more harmony at home.

How do I get started?

We know the first step can feel overwhelming, and we’re here to make it easier. You can start by filling out our Contact Form or emailing us directly to schedule a free 15-minute consultation. This short call gives you a chance to ask questions, share your needs, and see if we’re the right fit.

If you choose to move forward, we’ll schedule your intake appointment and provide access to our secure online portal where you’ll complete the initial forms before your first session.

What is an intake appointment?

Your intake appointment is your first official session. It’s a chance to:

  • Meet your therapist
  • Share what’s bringing you (or your child) in
  • Review your goals, preferences, and any history that feels important
  • Begin creating a plan together for moving forward

Everything is designed to be gentle, collaborative, and child/family-centered. No need to bring anything — all paperwork is completed online before your visit. If you have records (like evaluations or IEPs), we’ll discuss if they’re helpful to share.

How much does counseling cost?

We offer transparent, flat-rate pricing to keep things simple:

  • Introductory intake sessions: $165 for the 90-minute session
  • Individual, teen, or parent sessions: $145 per 50-minute session
  • Play therapy sessions: $145 per 45-minute session

We also offer a limited number of sliding scale and scholarship spots through our Nurtured Neighbors Fund for families in need. Ask us if this might apply to your situation.

Do you take insurance?

At this time, we are a private pay practice and do not accept insurance directly. However, we’re happy to provide a superbill you can submit to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement.

Our focus is on accessible, high-quality, play-informed care, and we’re committed to helping you navigate options that make services manageable.

How long are sessions? How often are they scheduled?

Play therapy sessions: typically 45 minutes

Teen, adult, and family sessions: typically 50 minutes

Most clients attend sessions weekly, especially when beginning therapy. We’ll regularly check in on your progress and needs to adjust as appropriate.

How long will therapy take?

There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline. Some children and families benefit from a few months of focused support, while others build a longer-term relationship with their therapist for ongoing growth and stability.

Together, we’ll revisit your goals regularly and decide what pace and duration feel right for you or your child.

Where are you located?

Nurtured Play Studio offers virtual sessions only at this time, so you can access care from the comfort of home, whether you’re across the street or the state. We offer on-site care at local schools and daycares, when permitted.

Our therapists are licensed to serve clients in Texas.

Still have questions?

We’d love to hear from you. Use our Contact Form or email us at welcome@nurturedplay.studio to connect. We’re here to make the process feel clear, compassionate, and just right for your family.

Play Therapy FAQs

What is play therapy, and how does it help?

Play therapy allows children to express themselves in the way they know best — through play. Because children often don’t have the words to explain their experiences, play becomes their language. In a nurturing and safe space, a trained play therapist observes, reflects, and helps your child work through emotions, challenges, and needs.

Play therapy helps:

  • Improve emotional regulation and self-esteem
  • Address behavioral concerns, grief, anxiety, and trauma
  • Support social skills, empathy, and responsibility
  • Strengthen parent-child connection through therapist-supported insights
How do I know if my child needs play therapy?

Play therapy can benefit most children and families, even without major challenges. It’s particularly helpful when children are:

  • Showing big emotions or withdrawing
  • Having trouble adjusting to change
  • Experiencing grief, trauma, or anxiety
  • Struggling in school or relationships

We offer consultations to determine if play therapy is the right fit and will be honest if another support may be better suited.

What toys are in a play therapy room?

Our playroom is designed with evidence-based play therapy tools from five core categories (Kottman, 2003):

  • Family/Nurturing: Dolls, kitchen sets, and caregiving toys that let children act out roles like cooking, cleaning, or parenting.
  • Expressive: Art supplies, drawing materials, and sand to promote creativity and emotional expression.
  • Scary: Toys like spiders, snakes, or dark spaces that help children explore fears in a safe setting.
  • Aggressive: Items like foam swords, rubber knives, or toy handcuffs allow expression of power, control, or frustration.
  • Pretend/Fantasy: Puppets, dress-up clothes, and medical kits that support imaginative play and deeper exploration of adult roles.

These toys aren't random — each category is selected to support emotional development, storytelling, and healing through symbolic play.

How do I explain play therapy to my child?

Try saying: “Play therapy is a time for you to play, draw, or talk about whatever is on your mind with someone who’s there just for you. You’ll get to be with [therapist’s name], and they’ll help you feel safe, understood, and supported.”

We also recommend watching an Introduction to Play Therapy by Dr. Dee Ray.

What about school absences or scheduling?

We’ll always do our best to accommodate your schedule. While after-school appointments are limited, we can provide excused absence notes for school-day sessions and work with you to minimize disruption.

Will I be part of my child’s sessions?

Yes. While children meet with their therapist individually to build safety and trust, parent involvement is essential. We provide regular updates, space for your concerns, and guidance to support your child at home. For privacy and therapeutic reasons, we don’t allow observation of sessions.

Do both parents need to give consent?

Yes. We request that all legal guardians provide consent before services begin, especially in cases of separation or divorce. We believe in involving all caregivers in the process to support your child’s growth.

Can a play therapist confirm abuse or make custody recommendations?

No. A play therapist’s role is therapeutic, not investigative. While we may observe signs of distress, we cannot confirm abuse. If concerns arise, we will guide you through next steps, including reporting. We do not offer custody evaluations but are happy to support co-parents in building healthy routines for their child.