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PLAY THERAPY FOR CHILDREN IN HUNTINGTON NY

FAQ for Parents

  • Relationship-based therapy focuses on the bond between you and your child as the foundation for emotional growth, behavior change, and healthy development. Instead of only working with the child alone, we actively involve parents and caregivers in the process. The goal is to strengthen trust, improve communication, and help your child feel safe and understood. 

  • In many traditional models, a therapist primarily works one-on-one with the child. In relationship-based therapy, parents play an essential role in sessions and in practicing new skills at home. We see your relationship with your child as the most powerful tool for change—so we focus on helping you connect, respond effectively, and build positive patterns together.

  • Absolutely—you don’t need to have a “broken” relationship with your child to benefit from relationship-based therapy. Many families who come to Feelings Land already feel close and connected, but are facing challenges such as frequent meltdowns, anxiety, transitions, or behavior that’s hard to manage.

    In these cases, therapy isn’t about “fixing” the relationship—it’s about using the strength of your existing bond as a tool for problem-solving and growth. We’ll help you and your child navigate difficult moments, develop new coping strategies, and reduce stress in your home while preserving (and even deepening) the closeness you already share.


  • This approach can be helpful for a wide range of concerns, including:

    • Big emotions and frequent meltdowns

    • Aggression, defiance, or oppositional behavior

    • Separation anxiety and difficulty with transitions

    • Challenges related to trauma or loss

    • Sleep or routine struggles

    • Sensory sensitivities and regulation difficulties

  • Sessions are often playful and interactive, using toys, art, and games to help your child express themselves in developmentally appropriate ways. Parents are usually present for at least part of each session, and we also hold dedicated parent consultations to discuss progress, strategies, and ways to support your child at home.

  • Young children often communicate more easily through play, movement, and nonverbal expression than through direct conversation. We use these natural forms of communication to explore feelings, practice coping skills, and strengthen the parent-child connection—so your child doesn’t have to put everything into words to make progress.

  • Every child and family is unique. Some families notice changes within a few weeks, while others benefit from longer-term support. We’ll check in regularly to make sure the plan is meeting your goals and adjust as needed.

  • Yes—but think of it as practice, not pressure. We’ll give you simple, doable ways to connect with your child, respond to challenging behaviors, and create more positive moments together. These tools are designed to fit into your daily routines, not add stress.

  • You’ll absolutely get them here—but they’ll be grounded in understanding why the behaviors are happening in the first place. We’ll work together to uncover what your child’s actions are communicating and then give you concrete, realistic tools to address those moments with more confidence.

    You’ll learn ways to:

    • Stay calm and respond effectively when your child is upset or defiant

    • Set limits that your child can understand and follow

    • Use positive attention to encourage cooperation

    • Help your child recover after big feelings and make repair in relationships

    • Build daily routines that reduce conflict and increase connection

      Our goal is for you to leave sessions not only with strategies you can use right away, but also with a deeper sense of connection and understanding—so that over time, tough moments happen less often and feel easier to handle when they do.

  • We don’t offer CBT in the traditional, skills-based format often used with older children, teens, and adults. At Feelings Land, our work is rooted in relationship-based, play-focused approaches that are developmentally appropriate for young children.

    While CBT can be effective for certain ages and concerns, our approach focuses on helping children feel secure and connected so they’re better able to manage emotions and behaviors. We do teach coping strategies and problem-solving skills, but we do so within the context of strengthening the parent-child relationship—because for young children, connection is the most powerful agent of change.

    If your pediatrician recommended CBT, we’re happy to talk with you about your child’s needs and help you decide if our approach would be a good fit.

  • If you want to feel more connected to your child, better understand their behaviors, and learn practical ways to help them feel secure and thrive, relationship-based therapy could be a great fit. We’re happy to schedule a consultation to talk through your concerns and answer any questions.