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815 people sought play therapy help in Virginia in the last year

Discover how starting play therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 129 therapists in Virginia available for an online or in-person session.

Starting Play therapy

What is Play therapy?

Play therapy is a therapeutic technique used for children and young teens. It involves the use of toys, art, and games to help young individuals process mental health challenges they encounter throughout their childhood like trauma, behavioral problems, divorce, or bullying.

How does Play therapy work?

Thriveworks play therapists in Ashland work with young individuals to help them express themselves, release stress and other emotions, learn about their emotions, and heal from difficult experiences by using toys, games, and art to work through these issues in more digestible and accessible formats.

Is Play therapy conducted in person or online?

Thriveworks therapists in Ashland conduct play therapy both in person and virtually through online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you and your child.

How long does Play therapy last?

Play therapy, on average, can take around 20 sessions to effectively address a young individual's mental health concerns. However, therapy is a very individualized process, meaning that more or fewer sessions might be required depending on the client's condition and symptoms.

Need more help deciding?

Play Therapy – Therapists and Counselors in Hanover, VA

Play therapy is a way to engage children in therapeutic activities that repair trauma responses, explore emotions, provide alternatives to negative behavior, and fosters self-competence and mastery. It is typically used with children between age 3 and 12, with some exceptions.

To schedule a play therapy session for your child, call Thriveworks Hanover, or simply book online to get matched with the right provider.

How Can Play Therapy Help My Child?

Play therapy can help children who are experiencing:

  • Anger outbursts
  • Aggression
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • School refusal
  • Separation issues
  • Divorce
  • Family conflict
  • Hyperactivity
  • Oppositional behavior
  • And much more

Negative emotional states and abnormal behavior occur as a result of many factors. These may include biology and genetics, experiences in the past, temperament, attachment, relationships, parenting, or learned behaviors, which can all affect children.

How Does Play Therapy Work?

A Thriveworks Play Therapist will take a non-judgmental, caring approach to helping your child and family regain stability and move forward. You will be included in the therapy to the extent necessary for progress and your comfort level. This will include regular updates, joint sessions, parent education, and informational handouts.

Play therapy may include:

  • Art work
  • Storytelling
  • Puppet play
  • Playdough
  • Sandtray
  • Games
  • Role plays
  • Singing and dance
  • Playing with toys

There are two main types of play therapy. These are directive and non-directive. Non-directive play therapy involves the child guiding the play while the therapist tracks the play. Tracking is a way of showing the child you are with them, listening and watching what they’re expressing. Directive play therapy involves the therapist guiding the play and is more prescriptive in nature. Typically, your child will experience both during an episode of care.

Play therapy usually involves weekly sessions around 50 minutes each. The number of sessions your child will need to resolve the presenting problem will vary; but, on average, children need about 20 sessions to resolve issues fully.

Schedule A Session with Thriveworks Ashland

If you are interested in learning more about how play therapy may help your child, schedule a session online or simply give us a call to get started.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Ashland therapists and counselors accept 4 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • United Healthcare | Optum

  • United Healthcare | Optum EAP

Self-pay costs at Ashland
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

Thriveworks Ashland has no reviews yet, but check out these reviews from locations in Virginia.

4.5 Thriveworks Ashland reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Read more Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Anonymous Thriveworks Client
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Ashland is located in the same building as Ashland Internal Medicine, A16 Coding Training Institute, Primis, Edward Jones Financial Advisor, H&R Block, Commonwealth Clinic, and a USPS collection box. Nearby is a Food Lion grocery store, Best Dry Cleaners, Petco, Burkes Outlet, and Virginia ABC Store. A Truist bank is also nearby, as well as Fire & Chicken, El Azteca Ashland, and Starbucks restaurants. Across N Washington Highway is a Hardee’s and Wawa. South of the location is the intersection of N Washington Highway and England Street.

Phone number

(804) 531-3165

Languages spoken by VA providers

Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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