Play Therapy in Buda, Texas
Helping your child move from overwhelm and big emotions to confidence, connection, and better days.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
If your child is struggling — with emotions, behavior, school, or friendships — you’ve probably tried everything you can think of. You’ve read the books, adjusted routines, and talked to teachers. But deep down, you’re still worried.
You just want your child to feel good about themselves, to enjoy being a kid, and to move through the day without constant conflict, stress, or meltdowns. You want to move through the day without constant conflict, stress, or meltdowns.
You’re not alone. And there’s support available.
I offer thoughtful, holistic therapy for children — and support for the parents who love them.
Using developmentally appropriate and creative approaches like play therapy, sandtray, expressive arts, and bibliotherapy, I help kids feel safe enough to open up — and strong enough to grow. I also work closely with parents, so you’re informed, involved, and supported every step of the way.
Whether your child is dealing with big feelings, acting out, shutting down, or just needs help processing their world, we can create space for growth and healing, together.
Supporting neurodiverse children is a deep part of my work and my life.
As a parent of neurodivergent (ADHD, autism, learning disabilities) kids myself, and someone who has worked closely with neurodiverse children in school settings, I understand how often these kids are misunderstood, labeled, or asked to fit into systems that weren’t designed for them.
This is an area I care deeply about — not just professionally, but personally.
In therapy, I honor your child’s unique wiring. Whether they’re navigating ADHD, sensory differences, autism, or another form of neurodivergence, they deserve support that sees their strengths, respects their pace, and gives them tools that actually work for them.
And I also support you — with tools, communication strategies, and parenting approaches that match your child’s needs, not fight against them.
Play Therapy for Children ages 3+ involves
CHOICE
The type of play therapy I do involves a lot of choice. This is such a change for many kids because oftentimes, kids are told what to do. During therapy, kids get a lot of experience making choices, which can lead to more self-control and confidence.
VALIDATION
Everyone benefits from being validated by others. Play therapy is full of validations of feelings, thoughts, and actions. Validation allows kids to feel truly seen just as they are, which fosters amazing feelings of connection!
ACCEPTANCE
It is easy for kids to feel as though they have to act a certain way to be accepted by teachers, peers, and even parents at times. The relationship between your child and therapist is one of complete acceptance, which helps your child learn to accept themselves.
VILLAGE
The saying that it takes a village to raise a child resonates with me even more now that my children are teenagers. Parenting is tough, and there is so much relief in knowing that there is another adult who loves and wants the best for your child.
PERSONALIZATION
The nature of child-directed play therapy, as well as integrative therapy, means that therapy time is spent working on what your child needs to work on. There is no set curriculum or set number of sessions.
PARTNERSHIP
Research shows how powerful it is for play therapy to include parent and/or family work. This makes sense since caregivers are so involved in their young child’s life. When you are working with me, you will be supported and helped so that you are more confident about your parenting decisions.
Hi, I’m Janet, and I help families navigate the challenges of growing up with care, creativity, and support that fits.
I’ve been working with kids since I was a teenager, and I’ve always appreciated what a special time of life it is for them. They are becoming who they will be, and that is so important.
If it were up to me, all kids could see how much value and strength they have in them. They would realize that they belong and are okay, just as they are. Helping kids to grow in that knowledge and self-acceptance is one of the things that motivates me to work with kids.
Before becoming a therapist, I was a teacher — and I’m also a parent to two teenagers myself. I understand how layered and emotional parenting can be. You're not just managing behavior; you’re holding deep love, frustration, uncertainty, and hope.
I’m currently working toward becoming a Registered Play Therapist, and I use a variety of creative, evidence-based approaches — like play, expressive arts, sandtray, and stories — to help children feel safe, seen, and supported.
A big part of my work includes supporting children who are neurodivergent, as well as those navigating serious life changes, such as family transitions, grief, or early relationship wounds that may have made it harder for them to feel safe and connected. These kids often show us what they’re carrying through behavior, not words, and I know how to meet them with patience, structure, and care.
Most of all, I believe in the beauty of giving kids the time and space to heal, grow, and be accepted for exactly who they are.
And I keep parents in the loop — so you’re never left wondering what’s happening in the therapy room or how you can support your child at home.
Sometimes change takes time. In other cases, a few thoughtful tweaks and the right support are all that’s needed.
Maybe change looks like fewer meltdowns, or your child beginning to express themselves in a new way.
Maybe it’s calmer mornings, fewer school phone calls, or just a bit more flexibility when things don’t go perfectly.
Or maybe the biggest shift is you — feeling more confident, more clear, and less reactive when things get tough.
When your child is struggling, it’s easy for your mind to leap ahead — imagining years of challenges or feeling unsure of what’s next.
But with the right support, things can start to shift. You begin to feel like you’re on the right path — and that you’ve given your child and your family tools to make things better.
You’ve tried. That’s part of why you’re here.
If you’ve already read the books, adjusted bedtime, changed screen time rules, talked to the school — you’re not alone. Most parents who reach out to me have done so much before scheduling that first session.
Maybe you’ve spent nights googling symptoms or second-guessing yourself. Maybe you’ve wondered if you're missing something — or if it's your fault somehow.
The truth is, parenting a child who's struggling can be overwhelming, even when you're doing your best.
Needing support doesn’t mean you’re not a good parent — it just means that raising kids is a tough, and sometimes complicated, job.
What you can expect
Therapy with me won’t follow a script — it will look like what your child needs.
Some kids need movement and creativity. Others need structure and space. Some want to talk; others do their best work through play or art. I’ll meet your child where they are and adjust as we go.
And you’ll have someone in your corner.
A space to ask questions, problem-solve, and find new ways to approach tough moments at home — without judgment or pressure. Frequent meeting with caregivers is baked into the process so that you are supported as well.
If school has become a stressor — whether due to behavior concerns, learning differences, or communication challenges — I can also help you navigate those systems. With a background in education and deep familiarity with IEPs, 504 plans, and school support teams, I can help you advocate for your child in a way that feels clear and empowering.
This is support for your child — and for you, too.
Still Unsure?
You might be wondering — what if my child doesn’t open up? What if they just play or sit there and don’t talk?
That’s okay. Building trust takes time. I don’t push or rush it.
Play is often the language young kids use to communicate. It’s how they explore, express, and work through hard things — even when they can’t yet explain them with words.
Maybe you’ve even tried therapy before — and it didn’t seem to help.
That can feel discouraging, and I understand.
Therapy isn’t always quick, and every child is different. What I can offer is a consistent, creative, and responsive approach — along with regular communication so you’re always aware of what’s happening and how to support your child at home.
And if you’re afraid therapy will make your child feel like something is wrong with them, I hope I can put your mind at rest. This is never about fixing. It’s about offering your child space to feel safe, accepted, and supported, just as they are. And that is really what makes therapy so powerful and effective.
Ready to take the next step?
You don’t have to wait until things get worse to get support.
Sometimes the hardest part is simply starting — making that first contact. But that step can open the door to more clarity, connection, and relief for your child and for you.
Therapy doesn’t fix everything overnight. But it can offer new insight, emotional breathing room, and a path forward.
Get in touch
You’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure this out by yourself.
If your child is struggling — and you’re not sure what else to try — therapy can help.
I offer creative, developmentally appropriate therapy for children, and collaborative support for the parents who love them. Together, we’ll work toward more steadiness, connection, and confidence — for your child and for your family as a whole.
If you’re ready to learn more or have questions, I’d be glad to connect.
