Whatever it is, a child’s preferred way to play offers unique benefits, fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and social-emotional growth.
There’s no cookie-cutter approach to play therapy.
If you’re curious about what approach might be most effective with your child, reach out and we can chat about it.
AutPlay Therapy
AutPlay® Therapy was created by Dr. Robert Jason Grant. It is a neurodiversity affirming approach to implementing play therapy. I trained with Dr. Grant in 2024, to become a Certified AutPlay® Provider.
The AutPlay® framework is designed to assist play therapists in choosing and implementing customized play therapy interventions to address the mental health needs of neurodivergent children, ages 3-18 (autistic children, those with ADHD, social anxiety, sensory differences, learning differences, highly sensitive temperaments, and developmental and physical disabilities).
Parents play a significant role in this approach to family-focused support. This means I intentionally partner with parents to identify your child’s preferred modes of play and ways to engage them toward more regulation, connection, and felt safety—in their body, across environments, and by reading cues between them and other people.
We’ll collaborate, inviting your child’s input about what feels most important to them and how we'll join together to support them. Parents and children are valued and understood as partners in the therapy process. This means that I won’t insist on any particular way to play, without observing first observing your child’s strengths and preferences.
Developing strategies for approaching new challenges, structuring transitions, and practicing coping skills are part of my job. I’m happy to be an educational advocate, developmental consultant, and sounding board as you steer toward next steps.
Synergetic Play Therapy
Synergetic Play Therapy uses a blend of mindfulness skills, therapeutic play, attachment research, and nervous system regulation strategies.
This approach is effective in helping children develop new ways of expressing themselves and tuning into their emotions, learning new patterns for coping with stress and more capacity for responding to everyday challenges.
In our play sessions, I’m watching for each child’s unique signs of empowerment and regulation, in the moment, as they use the toys and other materials as tools for exploring fresh strategies and reflecting on their experiences—both past and current.
I’ll share the clues I’m noticing as they move toward therapy goals, and help you notice how behaviors start to change outside the playroom. As we lean into greater self-awareness and positive communication skills, you may see them become more expressive and confident.
Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy at the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute.
Being with trusted others doesn’t just feel good—it actually changes how we perceive the world and access our own resources.
Connection lightens the load.
— Dr. Megan Anna Neff, PhD, Autistic-ADHD Psychologist