Integrated Play Connections Therapy Center, PLLC.

Integrated Play Connections Therapy Center, PLLC. We support therapists and caregivers with comprehensive play therapy training, supervision, and consultations. Rooted in relationship, Centered on the Child

Trans Day of Visibility is not just about being seen, it’s about safety, dignity, and protection.Research shows that ch...
03/31/2026

Trans Day of Visibility is not just about being seen, it’s about safety, dignity, and protection.
Research shows that children can begin identifying their gender at very young ages, and that support from adults, affirming schools, and respectful environments can make a real difference in mental health outcomes. Trans youth are not the problem. Stigma, rejection, bullying, and discriminatory policies are.
In a time when trans young people are being debated instead of protected, affirmation matters. Policy matters. Community matters.
Today and every day, may we choose language, relationships, and action that make life safer for trans youth. 🏳️‍⚧️✨

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2024/assets/static/TTP_2024_National_Survey.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com

“Defiance” can feel overwhelming.The power struggles, the pushback, the moments that seem to come out of nowhere…But wha...
03/30/2026

“Defiance” can feel overwhelming.
The power struggles, the pushback, the moments that seem to come out of nowhere…
But what if your child isn’t trying to be difficult?
What if they’re trying to communicate something they don’t yet have the words for?
When we shift from control → curiosity
everything begins to change.
This post is just a starting point, but I wrote a full blog breaking this down in a deeper, practical way (including exactly how to respond in the moment using the ACT model).
You’re not doing it wrong.
You’re navigating something hard.
And you don’t have to do it alone
Link in bio to read the full post + access our caregiver resources

03/28/2026

We created these shirts, sweatshirts, and more as a way to share what we love most about play therapy 🧸
The language of play.
The way children communicate through behavior.
The power of connection.
This collection is for everyone who shows up for kids, therapists, caregivers, parents, teachers, speech therapists, occupational therapists, and more.
Because when we understand play, we understand children.
Now live on our website!
https://www.integratedplayconnections.com/shop

One of the most common questions we hear from caregivers is:“If my child isn’t talking… is therapy even working?”The sho...
03/27/2026

One of the most common questions we hear from caregivers is:
“If my child isn’t talking… is therapy even working?”
The short answer, yes.

In Child-Centered Play Therapy, progress doesn’t look like long conversations or perfect explanations. It looks like subtle shifts:
→ a child who begins to feel safer
→ play that becomes more flexible or expressive
→ moments of calm where there used to be overwhelm
→ stories, movement, and themes that begin to unfold
Children don’t process the way adults do.
They don’t heal through words first, they heal through play.
So when a child is quiet in the playroom, it doesn’t mean nothing is happening.
Often, it means something important is.
Healing is happening in the language they know best.

Most of us were never taught how children’s brains actually work.So when our child is overwhelmed, melting down, or shut...
03/26/2026

Most of us were never taught how children’s brains actually work.
So when our child is overwhelmed, melting down, or shutting down… it can feel confusing, frustrating, and honestly exhausting.
This group is designed to help you understand what’s really happening underneath those moments, using concepts from The Whole-Brain Child and integrating them with relationship-based, trauma-informed care.
We’ll focus on practical, real-life ways to respond that support your child’s emotional development and strengthen your connection.
This isn’t about perfect parenting.
It’s about intentional parenting.
If this feels like something you’ve been needing, we’d love to have you join us 🤍

reach out to holly@integratedplayconnections.com

Kids benefit from seeing families that reflect the many ways people live and love.These shows don’t just include LGBTQIA...
03/25/2026

Kids benefit from seeing families that reflect the many ways people live and love.
These shows don’t just include LGBTQIA+ parents and family structures, many also show LGBTQIA+ romantic relationships in ways that are age-appropriate, caring, and normalized within the story.
When children see different kinds of love, families, and identities represented, it can help them feel seen while also building empathy and understanding for others.
Stories are one of the ways kids learn that there are many ways to be a family, and many ways people experience love and belonging.
Did we miss any favorites?

When a child says, “I’m so dumb,” they’re not just talking about a moment… they’re building a belief about who they are....
03/24/2026

When a child says, “I’m so dumb,” they’re not just talking about a moment… they’re building a belief about who they are.
In play therapy, we don’t correct that belief with pressure or praise.
We create space for something new to grow.

Through safety, relationship, and play, children begin to shift:
from giving up → to trying again
from needing constant reassurance → to trusting themselves
from harsh self-talk → to compassionate inner voices

This kind of change is often quiet. Gradual. Easy to miss if you’re not looking closely.
But it’s powerful, and it lasts.
Play therapy doesn’t just change behavior.
It helps reshape how children see themselves.
And that changes everything.
—
If you’re a parent, caregiver, or clinician wondering how to support a child’s self-esteem, we’re here to help. 🤍

03/24/2026

Most of us were never taught what to say during meltdowns…
so we default to what we heard growing up.
The ACT model helps you respond in a way that holds both:
your child’s feelings
and clear, safe limits
You don’t have to choose between being “too soft” or “too strict.”
Save this for later 🤍

Play is often how children say the things they don’t yet have words for.In Child-Centered Play Therapy, we’re not asking...
03/23/2026

Play is often how children say the things they don’t yet have words for.
In Child-Centered Play Therapy, we’re not asking children to explain themselves, we’re meeting them in the language they already speak.
Through a safe, consistent, and attuned relationship, children are able to process experiences, express emotions, and build confidence from the inside out.

It may look simple on the outside, but there is so much intention behind what happens in the playroom.

If you’ve ever wondered whether play therapy could support your child, we’d love to connect.
https://www.integratedplayconnections.com/clinical-services

When children with ADHD see characters who think fast, feel deeply, and experience the world in big ways, it helps them ...
03/20/2026

When children with ADHD see characters who think fast, feel deeply, and experience the world in big ways, it helps them understand that their brain isn’t “wrong” — it’s just wired differently.
Stories like these can open conversations about attention, energy, emotions, and strengths in ways that feel safe and relatable.
Representation matters, especially when kids are learning about themselves.
Save this list for later or share with a family who might find it helpful.

03/19/2026

We opened a play therapy office in Manassas, VA… what do you think?! 👀🧸
Now accepting new clients + offering parent support (in-person & virtual across VA) 🤍

Address

9119 Church Street
Manassas, VA
20110

Website

https://integratedplay.clientsecure.me/contact-widget

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