Play therapy is a child-centered approach that uses play as a tool for emotional healing and behavioral growth. As a licensed child therapist in Tustin, I use evidence-based play therapy to help children express feelings, build coping skills, and work through challenges in a safe, age-appropriate way.

If your child is having frequent tantrums, anxiety, trouble adjusting to changes, or difficulty in school or relationships, child therapy may help. Many parents in Tustin reach out when their child seems overwhelmed, withdrawn, or emotionally stuck.

Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is a non-directive approach that allows your child to lead the play while I provide a safe, empathetic environment. Unlike directive therapies, CCPT builds inner resilience and self-awareness from the inside out—ideal for children ages 3-14.

Every child is unique, and progress can look different for each one. Many families begin noticing small but meaningful changes—like better emotional expression or smoother transitions—within the first 4 to 6 sessions. These early shifts often reflect that your child is beginning to feel safe, seen, and more in control.

Consistency makes a big difference. Weekly sessions help your child build confidence, develop emotional tools, and grow at a pace that feels right for them—all in a supportive and caring environment.

The first session is designed to help your child feel safe and welcomed. As a bilingual play therapist, I create a calm, nurturing environment where your child can begin to get familiar with the therapy space at their own pace. Parent intake is typically completed before or shortly after your child’s first session, so we can partner together from the start.

Many children aren’t used to being in the lead—especially in a setting where there are no instructions or expectations. In child-centered play therapy, your child is in charge of the play, which can feel both freeing and unfamiliar at first.

To help with this transition, I move gently. I incorporate drawing-based activities during the first session—not as tests, but as a playful and meaningful way to get to know your child better. These creative moments often help children open up and ease into the unique rhythm of the playroom, where they are free to explore, express, and grow.

Generally, play therapy sessions are one-on-one with your child. However, your involvement is essential. As part of child therapy services in Tustin, I schedule regular parent consultations to keep you involved and supported.

Try saying “You’re going to have a special playtime with someone whose job is to help kids feel better. Her name is Janice (or Hyun whichever you prefer!). You can play with anything in the room, and you don’t have to talk unless you want to.”

I recommend avoiding statements like:

• “You’re going to talk to someone about your feelings.”

• “She’s going to help you behave better.”

• “Tell her about what happened at school.”

• “You need to be honest and open.”

These types of phrases can make children feel anxious, judged, or pressured before they even walk into the room. Play therapy works best when children feel safe, accepted, and in charge of their own experience.

Instead, we want to keep it simple, safe, and pressure-free.

That’s a helpful question—and a common one from parents! While play therapy is often associated with younger children, it’s also highly effective for preteens and early teens. Older children may not play in the same way as a 5-year-old, but they still benefit from creative, expressive approaches that feel safe and non-threatening.

For kids ages 8–14, I often integrate a combination of talk therapy, creative play, art, sandtray, and games—adjusted to their developmental level and personality (of course, when they choose and invite me to). This blend helps them explore emotions, build self-awareness, and problem-solve without the pressure of direct questioning.

If you're looking for therapy for a tween or young teen in Tustin who struggles with anxiety, low self-esteem, anger, or emotional regulation, this integrative play-based approach can be a powerful fit—especially for kids who find it hard to open up through words alone.

Each child therapy session is 50 minutes, once a week. Weekly consistency helps build trust and a strong therapeutic relationship—especially important in child-centered approaches like play therapy. Regular sessions also allow children to gradually explore emotions at their own pace, without feeling rushed.

Sessions are held in person at my play therapy office in Tustin, CA. I do not offer telehealth for child therapy, as the virtual format can limit the full range of expressive play and make it harder for children to lead the process in a developmentally appropriate way. Play therapy is most effective when children have access to a safe, physical space where they can freely explore, create, and connect.

However, I do offer telehealth for parent consultations and coaching, which are often an important part of supporting your child’s progress.

It’s completely normal—especially in the beginning—for some children to hesitate or resist. This can be part of what we call the “resistance phase,” where your child might feel unsure if they’re ready to explore certain feelings or experiences. It doesn’t mean therapy won’t work—just that your child needs time to feel safe and in control.

As a child-centered play therapist, I approach this gently, never forcing interaction. Instead, I follow your child’s lead and offer choices that help them feel empowered. Over time, most children begin to engage naturally as trust builds and they realize therapy is a safe, pressure-free space made just for them.

Yes. In my Tustin-based practice, I work closely with parents because healing happens both in and outside of the therapy room. You’ll be offered regular parent check-ins, coaching, and strategies tailored to your child’s needs.

Parents are key to progress. I’ll offer suggestions—like emotional validation, limit-setting strategies, or connection-building play—to reinforce what your child is learning in therapy.

Yes, through parent consultations without your child. While I protect your child’s privacy, I’ll share patterns I’m seeing and offer practical support to help you feel more confident in your parenting.

My standard rate is $225 per 50-minute session. Payment is due at the time of service and can be made by credit card, debit, or HSA/FSA.

I am an out-of-network provider, which means I don’t bill insurance directly. However, I can provide you with a monthly superbill—a detailed receipt that you can submit to your PPO insurance for possible reimbursement. Depending on your plan, families are often reimbursed 50% to 80% of the session fee once their deductible is met.

There are a few important reasons:

1. Confidentiality & Diagnosis: To bill insurance, I must assign your child a mental health diagnosis that becomes part of their permanent medical record. For some families, this can raise concerns about future implications, such as insurance eligibility, academic accommodations, or military service.

2. Treatment Limitations: Insurance companies may limit the number of sessions or require detailed justification to continue therapy—often based on criteria that don’t always align with a child-centered, play-based approach.

3. Flexibility: By remaining out-of-network, I’m able to tailor therapy to your child’s unique needs—not an insurance company’s guidelines. This ensures sessions stay focused on growth, not just symptom checklists.

4. I completely understand how helpful it can be when providers are able to bill insurance directly—and I know that navigating insurance is often overwhelming for families. After much consideration, I’ve chosen not to bill insurance myself because the process can be complex, unpredictable, and time-consuming.

   As a solo clinician, I want to dedicate my time and energy where it matters most: providing high-quality care for your child, staying up-to-date with the latest child development and play therapy research, and being fully present with each family I support.

   That said, I’m happy to provide monthly superbills (detailed invoices) that you can submit to your insurance provider for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Many families have found this to be a workable solution. If you have questions about how to do this, I’ll gladly guide you through it.