Cool Creek Counseling, LLC

02/04/2026

This International Play Therapy Week, we’re highlighting just a few of the ways children communicate, process, and heal through play.

In play therapy, toys aren’t random, they’re carefully chosen tools that help children express feelings, explore relationships, and build regulation skills in developmentally appropriate ways.

When words are hard, play speaks. 💛

Curious if play therapy might be a good fit for your child? We’re always happy to answer questions. Connect with us at www.coolcreekcounseling.com/contact

02/02/2026

It’s International Play Therapy Week!

This week we are celebrating the power of play therapy!

Did you know that play is a child’s natural language?
Play therapy helps children express feelings, work through challenges, and build coping skills in ways that feel safe, developmentally appropriate, and engaging.

At Cool Creek Counseling, our therapists use play-based approaches to support kids with anxiety, big emotions, behavior changes, life transitions, and more—meeting them exactly where they are.
www.coolcreekcounseling.com/play-therapy

01/23/2026

Meet the team behind Cool Creek Counseling💚We’re a group of compassionate therapists dedicated to supporting children, teens, young adults, and families with thoughtful, personalized care. We’re honored to walk alongside our community through growth, healing, and change.
read more about us on our website www.coolcreekcounseling.com

01/14/2026

Not sure if therapy is the right next step for you, your child, or your teen? This is one of the most common questions we hear.

At Cool Creek Counseling, we provide mental health therapy for children, teens, adults, and families. Therapy doesn’t have to mean something is “wrong", it can be a supportive space to build coping skills, strengthen relationships, and navigate stress, anxiety, life transitions, or behavioral challenges.

If you’re wondering whether counseling could help, our team is happy to help you explore your options and answer questions about child therapy, teen counseling, or individual therapy.
Learn more on our website www.coolcreekcounseling.com

01/08/2026

Welcome, 2026!
As we step into a new year, we’re feeling incredibly grateful for our team, our clients, and the trust you place in us every day.
Here’s to continued growth, healing, and showing up for our community, together.
www.coolcreekcounseling.com/about

11/25/2025

Top Tips for Parents to Stress Less During School Holiday Breaks

Holiday breaks can be wonderful … and also a lot for parents.
If you ever find yourself dreading those long days off, these tips can help things feel calmer, smoother, and more connected at home:

✨ 1. Create a Loose Routine
Kids thrive with predictable structure, even on “home all day” break days.
Try a simple flow like:
Wake up → Breakfast → Activity → Down time → Lunch → Free play
You can even make a visual schedule with your kids!

✨ 2. Plan One “Anchor Activity” Per Day
This pairs beautifully with a loose routine.
Your anchor activity can be small: baking cookies, a library trip, a craft, a walk outside.
Kids do better when there’s one thing to look forward to, while still keeping the day flexible.

✨ 3. Prep “Yes” Snacks Ahead of Time
Create a bin of parent-approved snacks kids can grab independently.
If they ask, you can simply point to the bin. This reduces constant requests and gives kids healthy control.

✨ 4. Prepare Kids for Family Gatherings
Before heading to relatives’ homes, talk your kids through what to expect: who will be there, what activities might happen, how long you’ll stay.
Bring familiar toys, sensory tools, or games so you aren’t arriving with nothing for them to do.

✨ 5. Check Your Expectations
If your child only eats PB&J or chicken nuggets, expecting them to suddenly enjoy a full holiday meal often leads to frustration.
Pack foods you know they’ll eat and release the pressure, meeting kids where they’re at creates a more peaceful day for everyone.

✨ 6. Use “Special Jobs” to Encourage Cooperation
Kids love feeling helpful and included.
Give them roles like: napkin helper, present organizer, dishwasher captain, dog feeder, table setter.
Small responsibilities reduce chaos and boost confidence... and you can even let them pick between a collection of these special jobs so they feel like they have some say/control!

✨ 7. Add a Daily Parent Reset Too
You matter just as much.
Even 10 minutes alone with a coffee, a podcast, or silence can shift the tone of your whole day.

Holiday breaks don’t have to feel overwhelming! All of these tips won't work for every family but you can support your kids and yourself with simple, thoughtful routines and expectations.

www.coolcreekcounseling.com

11/21/2025

Today is the !! Please consider donating to the Touchstone Foundation! They are an amazing program that helps support mental health in Lancaster County in numerous ways! www.extragive.org/story/coolcreekcounseling

11/14/2025

Cool Creek Counseling is excited to support this to help youth in Lancaster County, PA access mental health care and mentorship. Our office has proudly joined with Touchstone's Mental Health Access Assistance Program for several years and see first hand how this program's generosity has helped numerous families access mental health care. Join us in making a difference on November 21st!

https://www.extragive.org/story/coolcreekcounseling

CCC is excited to support Touchstone Foundation during this ExtraGive to support youth in Lancaster!

11/11/2025

Teens are navigating so many changes — school transitions, friendships, feelings.

Let them know their feelings matter: “I hear you. I see you.”

Validation and curiosity help them feel seen and build confidence.

www.coolcreekcounseling.com

10/27/2025

🌟 Celebrating 5 Years with Devon! 🌟

This month marks five years with Devon as part of our Cool Creek Counseling team!

We are so thankful and grateful for all she brings to our practice — her steady presence, her compassion, and her dedication to the families she serves. Devon has a true passion for helping children, teens, adults and parents connect, grow, and heal.

Some of her clinical focus areas include behavioral concerns, play therapy, EMDR, and parent support, and she approaches her work with warmth, creativity, and deep care for each client.

Please join us in celebrating Devon and all the wonderful ways she has impacted our clients and our team over the past five years!

10/16/2025

Art therapy is more than making art — it’s a way for children, teens, or adults to express big feelings, calm their minds, and build confidence when words aren’t enough. 💛
You don’t have to be an artist to benefit — it’s all about the process, not the product!

🖌️ Learn more about art therapy at Cool Creek Counseling in Lancaster, PA or virtually throughout PA. www.coolcreekcounseling.com

10/06/2025

🌿 What Is Play Therapy?

Parents often ask, “Why play? Why not just talk?”

For children, play is talking. When words are hard to find, play becomes their language — a way to show us what they’re feeling, thinking, or worrying about.

In play therapy, a dollhouse, art supplies, or a sand tray can become their voice. Through play, children can safely explore emotions, build coping skills, and begin to heal.

It’s not “just play.” It’s powerful, meaningful work in the language children know best. 💛

If you think your child might benefit from play therapy, our team at Cool Creek Counseling would be glad to help. Learn more or reach out at www.coolcreekcounseling.com