SF Bay Play Therapy by Karen Wolfe, MFT

12/04/2025

Some days with children feel smooth and connected, and others feel completely chaotic. At SF Bay Play Therapy, we remind parents that chaos doesn’t mean something is wrong.
Often, it means your child has big feelings they can’t yet express with words!

One of the most supportive things you can do in those moments is to stay close and connected. You don’t need the perfect solution, just your presence. A calm voice, a simple reflection of what you're noticing, or a moment of shared play can help your child feel safe again.

These small acts of connection teach children that they are not alone with their big feelings, and that your relationship is strong enough to hold even the hardest moments.

Comment below to learn more and keep the discussion going 👇

10/22/2025

✨ Last call! ✨
Our Parenting by Design: Human Design + Hand in Hand Parenting workshop is tomorrow, October 22 at 12 PM PST 💫

If you’ve ever wished your child came with a user manual… this is the next best thing.
Learn how to understand your child’s natural temperament, emotional needs, and decision-making style, so you can respond with more calm, confidence, and connection 💛
We’ll explore how Human Design can help ease meltdowns, reduce power struggles, and make parenting feel a little lighter (and a lot more fun). No experience needed, just curiosity and an open heart.
Spots are almost gone, come join us live!

👉 Comment below for the link to register!

10/12/2025

Ever feel rage bubbling up when your child is whining and don’t know what to do to not completely lose your s@& #?!

That deep somatic tightening in your chest, the “ugh I can’t take this one more second!” feeling?

You’re not alone. I’ve been there too.

Even as a therapist and parenting educator, I found myself getting so dysregulated when my son whined. I wanted to stay calm, to make space for his feelings—but my body would just tighten with rage.

And what finally started to shift that wasn’t a breathing technique or a clever parenting hack…

It was Listening Partnerships—a Hand in Hand Parenting tool where another adult simply listens while you feel what’s true inside. No advice. No judgment. Just presence.

Last week, during a listening turn in my 8-week Hand in Hand course, something big shifted.

I actually got to growl—to release that bottled-up frustration I’d been holding.

And since then? My son’s whining has noticeably decreased. I’m calmer. More creative. More patient.

It’s almost like magic—when we process our feelings, our kids’ behavior often changes too.

That’s the power of Listening Partnerships.
They give you space to release what’s under the surface so you can show up more grounded, connected, and present for your child.

✨ If you’re ready to feel more resourced and less reactive, join my next Hand in Hand Parenting Foundations course—for both professionals and parents.
We practice these tools together, in real time, so you can transform not just how you parent—but how you feel while parenting.

🩵 Link in bio to learn more or join the next cohort!

10/11/2025

Does your child keep “not listening”? 👂
Here’s a playful way to turn that power struggle into connection 💞

It’s called The One Dinosaur Game 🦖

Pick one toy—maybe a dino, a car, or anything nearby—and set a very serious rule:
👉 “There must be ONE dinosaur right here. Don’t touch it!”

Of course, your child will touch it, fling it, giggle—and that’s the point!
You get to playfully protest:
“Hey! That’s the rule! One dinosaur stays right here!”

Through laughter, both of you release the tension around listening, rules, and limits.
This kind of connection play—called Play Listening—helps your child offload the stress that makes listening so hard.

✨ Follow for more Hand in Hand Parenting and Play Therapy tips!
🎓 Parents: join my next 6-week Hand in Hand class.
👩‍⚕️ Professionals: check out my annual 8-week intensive for therapists & clinicians.
🔗Links in bio!

10/06/2025

🚨 Last Chance! 🚨
Join us tomorrow for Hand in Hand Parenting for Professionals — 8-Week Intensive! 🎉 Therapists, educators, and child professionals, learn 5 powerful listening tools to transform your work with children and parents. Comment below for more info! 💡

10/03/2025

✨ Stop the parenting power struggles ✨

Ever feel like you and your partner are speaking different languages when it comes to parenting?
Or worse… you’re on opposite sides when your child needs you most?

That’s exactly why I teach the Hand in Hand Parenting Foundations for Professionals course. 💡
Because when both parents have the tools, you stop fighting each other and start working as a team.

➡️ For me, it’s been a game changer. Just this morning, I was triggered by my child and wanted to snap—but I walked away knowing my husband could handle it in a way that fully aligned with my values. That kind of trust changes everything.

And here’s the best part:
👩‍⚕️ If you’re a therapist, you’ll earn 22 CEUs, get certified to run Listening Groups + Parent Resource Groups, and walk away with tools that transform your practice.
👨‍👩‍👦 If your partner isn’t a therapist, I also offer courses for non-professionals so you can both get the same support and learn the tools together.
💬 Plus, you’ll get a free month in the Hand in Hand professional community to keep your growth going.

Ready to stop the cycle of parenting conflicts and start working as a united team?

Link in bio!

09/25/2025

✨ Parenting is hard — especially when tantrums and meltdowns feel constant. But here’s the good news: playful parenting tools can transform those tough moments into opportunities for connection. 💕

In our latest blog, we share:
✔️ Why kids really cry and tantrum
✔️ How play helps children feel safe and connected
✔️ Practical parenting strategies to bring more calm and laughter into your home

👉 Read the full blog here below!

🌟 Plus — don’t miss our FREE workshop tomorrow in Lafayette, Playful Solutions to Tears and Tantrums where you’ll learn hands-on tools to handle big emotions with confidence.

At SF Bay Play Therapy, we believe parenting doesn’t have to feel so heavy. With the right support, you can navigate tears, tantrums, and transitions with more ease, joy, and connection. 💛

https://www.sfbayplaytherapy.com/blog/playful-parenting-tools-for-tears-and-tantrums-finding-calm-in-stressful-times?fbclid=IwY2xjawNCgelleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHkryUaTdJCNQ4KCN03yGe1YEvjQ5njULxCf1XNm_yCsL_fo_oNzHSe3kIdqv_aem_5asN8tWOLqJ8vnl1adKykg

Parenting has never been simple, but in today’s world, many families are facing more than just the daily challenges of raising children. Along with back-to-school transitions, new teachers, and...

09/01/2025

Are you a professional working with children and families and curious about the Hand in Hand Parenting approach?

Join me this Friday for a free workshop in Lafayette!

Perfect for professionals working with children — therapists, social workers, counsellors, pediatricians, and others who want to integrate Hand in Hand Parenting tools into their practice!

You can learn more or register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hand-in-hand-parenting-for-therapists-and-other-professionals-tickets-1623795127939?aff=oddtdtcreator

I'd love to see you there!