Playful Therapy Connections

01/23/2026

Meet Kate! Kate Meadows, LGPC is one of our newest associate counselors serving clients virtually in Maryland and in person at our North Bethesda location.

Kate joins the Playful Therapy team with experience working with kids as a camp counselor and a PreK teacher. She also has experience working with neurodivergent children and adults as an intern right here at Playful Therapy Connections! Her experience gives her the flexibility, patience and respect of each child's unique way of being themselves.

Kate centers connection in her work and emphasizes the importance of supporting her clients' autonomy and natural way of expressing themselves. She understands the role of play in a child's growth and healing and knows that there is no one size fits all approach. Her goal is to create a space where kids feel safe to explore and be themselves, whether that’s through play, movement, or just quiet moments.

Outside the therapy room, you can find Kate reading fantasy books or doing whatever hobby has caught her attention lately (right now it's gardening!). She also loves spending time with her family, including her cat, as well as creating art in its many forms.

To read more about Kate's experience & expertise, you can check out her bio here: https://playfultherapy.net/meet-kate

To inquire about one of Kate's openings you can schedule a free consultation or contact us here: https://playfultherapy.net/contact
ID: Yellow background with light yellow spotlight streaks coming from top corners. Light blue text box in top center of image with dark blue text reading "Meet our Team!" Light yellow rounded text box on left side of image with black text reading "Kate Meadows, LGPC (she/her). ASSOCIATE COUNSELOR, LEVEL 2. " Underneath is a light blue text box with dark blue text reading "Serving Maryland Clients." Playful therapy connections logo in bottom left corner of image. Digitally drawn portrait of Kate on right side of image with light purple background & white frame. Under portrait is black text reading "Portrait by Nathan McConnell."

01/22/2026

You don’t have to know why a child is expressing something to validate it.

Validation doesn’t require certainty. It requires humble curiosity.

Curiosity says out loud:
“I see you are crying, and I’m not sure what you need, but I’m here, and I want to understand.”

Automatic → Reflective communication grows not from perfect interpretation, but from consistent belief:

“I see you. What you’re expressing is important. I’ll try to figure it out with you.”

It’s the adult’s repeated willingness to stay curious about the expression, rather than correct it or shut it down, that makes deeper communication possible in the future.



Image Description: Pink and aqua tile with graphics of adult kneeling down to listen to child covering their ears, a father comforting a daughter covering her eyes, a mother holding her crying son, that says “ Curiosity says out loud: ‘I see you are crying and I’m not sure what you need, but I’m here, and I want to understand”

01/14/2026

01/09/2026

You don’t teach someone to *refine* a skill by first teaching them to stop the skill in its tracks.

You don’t teach a child to speak by first squashing and ignoring the communication they have.

You don’t teach a child to regulate their emotions by first making it clear to them that their emotions are unacceptable.

You don’t teach a child to advocate for themselves by first ignoring them expressing their needs.

You don’t teach a child to respect you by first making them feel isolated and defensive and like they are the only one protecting themselves.

[Image description:
A lovely, close-up photo of a snowflake next to a quote that reads, “You don’t teach someone to refine a skill by first teaching them to stop the skill in its tracks.” The quote is by me, The Occuplaytional Therapist; the image was made by Neurodiversity Manitoba. End description.]

01/06/2026

12/19/2025

The wonderful Janelle McCarthy!

12/15/2025

Check this out!!

Our very own Janelle McCarthy, LCPC, LPC, RPT will be joining Shefter Law P.A. on their podcast livestreamed tomorrow, Dec. 16th, at 12pm!

You can view the livestream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTq3iaNrN4Q

Join licensed counselor and play therapist Janelle McCarthy as she unpacks what it truly means to be neurodiversity-affirming in therapy, schools, and families. Discover how inclusion coaching helps children, parents, and communities thrive together through understanding, co-regulation, and connection. Learn why supporting the whole system—not just the child—creates lasting change.

Join us tomorrow! Here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTq3iaNrN4Q

Or register to get a reminder! Here:

https://app.lawmatics.com/forms/share/0b7aab34-29bc-44fe-9839-a3a0a30994f4

12/12/2025

In case you missed the event last night, here are some tips to help in Supporting Your Neurodivergent Child this Holiday Season!

Twenty tips from Dr. Jaclyn Halpern on ways to support neurodivergent children during the holiday season.

12/11/2025

Don't forget! Happening tomorrow night, Dec. 11th @ 7pm!

Join us for an evening with Dr. Jaclyn Halpern of Playful Therapy Connections as we talk about supporting our neurodivergent children during the holiday season.

12/05/2025

Failure sucks. It really hurts, but you should still be proud for trying. It takes a lot of courage to try. Failure isn't the end, it's a lesson that can help you learn.

[Image description: A four panel comic of Honeydew going to try a thing, with their partner, Ky, cheering them on. The comic is titled "Can't Do Attitude" and is made by Theresa Scovil.

Panel 1:
Honeydew asks Ky "Do you think I can do the thing?"
Ky happy says "Yes! You can do the thing!"
Panel 2:
Honeydew has a confident smile and says "I can do the thing!"
Ky cheerfully says "You can do the thing!"
Panel 3:
Narrations says "One attempt later."
Honeydew cries and says "I couldn't do the thing."
Ky looks sad.
Panel 4:
Ky hugs Honeydew and says "And that's okay. I'm still proud of you for trying."]

12/03/2025

Check out this **Free** virtual event on Dec. 11th @ 7pm!

We're collaborating with Sixx Cool Moms for a virtual chat focused on Navigating the Holidays with Neurodivergent Children!

Join Sixx Cool Moms for an evening with Dr. Jaclyn Halpern of Playful Therapy Connections as we talk about supporting our neurodivergent children during the holiday season.

The holidays can be fun and stressful at the same time, and it can feel even harder to navigate while supporting kids with sensory needs, routine changes, overwhelm, and family dynamics that are not always understanding.

This will be a Q&A-style conversation. Bring your questions. Dr. Halpern will also share practical considerations, tools, and ideas you can use to help your child feel supported and grounded through the season.

To sign up, visit: https://www.sixxcoolmoms.com/event-details/navigating-the-holidays-with-neurodivergent-children-virtual-chat

We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us for an evening with Dr. Jaclyn Halpern of Playful Therapy Connections as we talk about supporting our neurodivergent children during the holiday season.

11/27/2025

As we gather with friends and family, we acknowledge the National Day of Mourning and the truth of Thanksgiving.

Learn more below, including a brief video for kids from Molly of Denali.

https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/remembering-honoring-and-educating-national-day-mourning

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DHt5kQmWi/

Why Thanksgiving is a day of sorrow and protest for many