Courageous Counselling and Play Therapy

10/27/2025

Ever tried to talk your kid down mid-meltdown… and it somehow just made things worse?
You’re not alone — and there’s actually a brain-based reason why.

When a child is overwhelmed, the “thinking” part of their brain (the prefrontal cortex) goes offline. Their body is in protection mode, running on the emotional and survival centers instead. In that state, they can’t reason, problem-solve, or use logic — even if they want to.

So when we say things like “Calm down,” “You’re okay,” “Use your words,” or “It’s not that bad,” we’re accidentally speaking to a part of the brain that’s temporarily unavailable. The more we explain, question, or threaten consequences (“If you don’t stop crying, then…”), the more unsafe their body feels — and the bigger the reaction gets.

What helps isn’t more words — it’s safety and connection.

You can help your child regulate by:

💛Sitting at their level with open, relaxed posture
💛Using a calm, slow tone (or silence)
💛Offering gentle touch if welcomed
💛Short phrases like: “I’m here with you.” “You’re safe.” “I’ve got you.”

Once your child’s body feels safe again and their brain comes back online, that’s when you can reflect, problem-solve, or set limits — when they’re ready to listen and learn.

✨ If you remember anything from this post, remember this:
You don’t have to fix the meltdown.
You just have to be the safety your child is looking for. 💛

09/22/2025

Autism Canada is offering FREE virtual caregiver peer support meetings!🙌 The first meeting is on October 2nd so be sure to register soon!😁

Join Autism Canada and our Caregiver Connect Volunteers for a relaxed, virtual gathering of caregivers. These small group sessions are designed to be a welcoming space where participants come together to talk about all things caregiving, the highs, the challenges, and the everyday moments in between.

Register now at https://www.autismcanada.org/caregiver-connect

09/08/2025

Hi there! 👋 I’m Kristi, a play therapist — and this is my turtle friend! 🐢

We know that starting something new — like coming to play therapy — can feel a little scary or uncertain at first. That makes sense. We wanted to introduce ourselves to help things feel a bit more familiar before you even walk through the door. 💛

Our playroom is a cozy space where kids can be themselves, explore big feelings, and feel safe while we play and grow together.

If you or your grown-ups have any questions about play therapy or how turtle and I could support your family, we’re happy to help!

We can set up a free consult call which can be done directly through my website or you can give me a call at 226-884-8327 to chat more. 📞

We can’t wait to meet and play with you! 🎨🧸

09/03/2025

You start the day asking:

“What do you want for breakfast? 🥞”
“Which shoes do you want?”
“Do you want to go to the park or stay home?”
“What should we bring with us?”
“Is now a good time to leave? ⏰”

It sounds respectful.
It sounds empowering.

But by mid-morning, you’re managing 20 decisions and fielding resistance to almost all of them — and your child is melting down over the smallest thing. 😩

Because all those choices?
They aren’t always helpful.

Too many decisions feel heavy on a young nervous system. It puts them in charge of things they’re not developmentally ready to lead.

And it puts you in the exhausting position of walking on eggshells, trying to guess what they’ll choose or how they’ll react to the next transition.

Here’s a simple example:
Instead of asking, “What do you want for dinner?” — and hearing “Pizza!” (followed by a meltdown when you say, “We can’t have pizza tonight, we had it yesterday”) — try this:
“We’re having spaghetti and caesar salad tonight. I know you don’t like caesar dressing, so you can decide how much dressing you want on your salad.”
You’re setting the plan and boundaries, while still giving your child a small way to have control.

Here’s the reframe:
You can lead with calm, confident clarity.
You can say, “This is what’s happening.”
You can provide structure without being rigid.

This doesn’t take away your child’s voice. It gives them something even more important:
A sense of safety. Of being held. Of knowing someone else is steering the ship. 🚢

Clear leadership doesn’t shut down connection — it makes space for it. ❤️

08/26/2025

When your child is falling apart it’s so tempting to go straight into fixing:

🗣 “Use your words.”
🧠 “Let’s figure this out.”
📣 “That’s not okay — you need to calm down.”

We jump into problem-solving, not because we’re impatient, but because we want to help. We want it to stop. We want them to feel better.

But here’s the thing:

A dysregulated brain can’t problem-solve.

A disconnected child can’t access logic.

Before your child can hear your wisdom, their nervous system needs to feel safe with you.

Try this instead:
🤲 Get close. Soften your voice.
💬 “I see how upset you are. I’m right here.”
🌬 Breathe with them. Sit with them. Let the storm pass.

That’s co-regulation — you lending your calm so their brain can come back online.

When your child feels seen and held, they begin to settle. And from that place?

✨ Now they’re ready to learn, listen, repair or reflect.

08/26/2025

Want support NOW but can’t commit to weekly therapy?

I’ve created two focused therapy options for families who need help now—without the ongoing commitment.

🧸 Parent-Child Play Support Package

A 2-day therapeutic experience that includes:

✔️A recorded parent-child play session (with one or both parents)
✔️A personalized feedback & practice session
✔️A customized Play Plan

In just two days, you’ll gain clarity, tools, and a path forward to support your child and relationship through play.

✨ Parenting Intensives

A full-day therapy intensive for parents of young children navigating big behaviours.

Includes:

✔️Focused one-on-one therapeutic support designed around your family’s needs
✔️In-depth time to understand your child’s behaviours and what’s driving them
✔️Practical evidence-based strategies you can begin using right away

You’ll leave with real strategies and a clear plan👍

🗓️ Spots are limited. Book a consult call through my website to learn more and see if it’s the right fit.