Insight Counseling of Central Arkansas

Thanks for sharing 💕

♡ If you would like to be kept in the loop on everything Synergetic Play Therapy or get resources to support you on your journey, join us here: https://linktr.ee/synergeticplaytherapy ♡

Please spread the word and donate.💗

📣 AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT📣

April is right around the corner and RVCAC needs your help to spread the word!! This year we are on a mission to spread the message “TOGETHER we can prevent child abuse”!!! Order your sign and pinwheels today for $25 you are not only making a stand against child abuse financially but also bring awareness at your home, business, church, and community. Let’s fill the community with these signs and pinwheels!

https://linktr.ee/rvcac or scan the QR code on the flyer.
The link will take you directly to a page where you can sign up through a google form as well as pay if you are wanting to use cashapp or PayPal. Please make sure you either give us a call, message us, or fill out the google form so we have all the information to deliver your sign and pinwheels.

If you have any questions please contact Haleigh Austin at 479-498-4747 or [email protected]

Reposted from Arkansas Association for Play Therapy

“Suck it up buttercup,” may sound cute, but may not be healthy… I wonder what it would look like, if we allow our children to express their thoughts and feelings. Then validate them, by saying, “It’s normal to feel hurt and cry.” Or “I understand why you would feel this or that way.”

Don't miss the window. There is a growing body of evidence that early intensive behavioral intervention based on applied behavior analysis improves cognitive ability, language, and adaptive skills. This leads me and many others to recognize the benefit of early identification of autism spectrum disorder and how important it is for your child.

Kristian E Sanchack and Craig A Thomas: Autism Spectrum Disorder: Primary Care Principles

Children have to be taught how to complete their stress cycle the same as an adult would need to. It is in our biological makeup to go through this cycle. To quote Drs. Amelia and Emily Nagoski, "It’s absolutely essential to your well-being that you give your body the resources it needs to complete the stress cycles that have been activated." Working through the stress cycle is something that I actively do with my clients. Children can't avoid all stressors, but they can be taught how to process and complete their stress cycle to bring them from alarm back to calm.

- Drs. Amelia and Emily Nagoski: Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle

Beautifully written words by Dr. Garry L. Landreth from his book Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship. This is something I feel so deeply, and one of the main goals for Insight Counseling of Central Arkansas.

Hello, y'all! I wanted to make a quick introduction for those who may not know me. I'm Pam Jean-Gasaway and I've dedicated my life to helping children and teens through the use of Play Therapy.

So many fun activities!

Repost from Fun Sensory Play

75 Sensory Activities 🧊🔦
Lots of ideas to keep your kids entertained this summer 😎

It is important to have the right tools for the job, and in my case, that would be having the right TOYS! That's why my office is filled with specific toys that allow for the creative expression of a wide range of emotions, and in turn, help me gain insight into a child's needs. (Bratton, Ray, Edwards, & Landreth, 2009)

Dr. Garry Landreth speaks often about the benefits of Play Therapy and how it provides the needed outlet for a child to relieve their frustrations and caters to their natural need to not sit still. Because of this teaching, I am better able to help children by creating an environment where stillness is not necessary, and imagination is encouraged. (Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship)

I have the honor of seeing this happen, love it! So cool!!!

Reposted from Synergentic Play Therapy Institute

"Regression is a common part of the therapeutic experience as children return to earlier ages of development for growth and healing." 💕- Lisa Dion

♡ If you would like to be kept in the loop on everything Synergetic Play Therapy or get resources to support you on your therapist or parent journey, join us here: https://linktr.ee/synergeticplaytherapy ♡

Roleplaying as a Superhero has developmental functions including emotional release, a sense of power, the instillation of hope, a resource for problem-solving, and identity formation. (Rubin & Livesay, 2006)

Repost from Fun Sensory Play

Let them explore & play 💜

Reposted from Synergentic Play Therapy Institute, CreativeChild and L.R. Knost-Little Hearts/Gentle Parenting Resources.

CreativeChild ❤️‍🩹 and reposted from L.R.Knost - Little Hearts/Gentle Parenting Resources
•
Children are human, just like us. They feel things strongly, just like we do. Their feelings matter, just like ours. The thing is, though, things that seem minor to us can feel overwhelming or heartbreaking to them. And those feelings matter. They can’t be reasoned away or minimized away or joked away. Children need to be seen and heard and understood, just like we do.

Children don’t ‘mis’behave. They behave, either positively or negatively, to communicate.

Small children communicate through their behavior because that is the only method of communication they have. Even when they become verbal, though, they still aren’t able to articulate big feelings and subtle problems well verbally, so as parents it’s our role to ‘listen between the lines’ of our children’s behavior to discern the need being communicated.

Meeting the underlying needs being communicated through behavior, even (or especially) challenging behaviors, opens the door to cooperation and offers opportunities to work with our children on better ways to communicate their needs and on setting and maintaining healthy boundaries for both us and them.

Remember, setting boundaries is not about ‘mis’behavior. It’s about ‘guiding’ behavior, and guidance is something we provide through everyday interactions with our children.

The solution to every parenting problem starts with nine little words:
'I'm here.'
'I hear you.'
'How can I help?'

When needs are met through connection, hearts are opened to gentle, respectful, compassionate communication, guidance, and cooperation.
-L.R.Knost

♡ If you would like to be kept in the loop on everything Synergetic Play Therapy or get resources to support you on your therapist or parent journey, join us here: https://linktr.ee/synergeticplaytherapy ♡

Although Albert Einstein wasn't referring to play therapy specifically, we can see through research that play therapy can help children learn fun coping skills and process emotions.

In order to continue to provide knowledgeable help to neurodivergent children and their families, I am excited to announce that I will soon be a Certified Autplay Therapy Provider! What does this mean? It means I will be continuing to expand my knowledge in integrating play therapy approaches and interventions to better help autistic and neurodivergent children!

Have you noticed your child creating fun games out of ordinary things using their imagination? That's because play is as natural to children as birds fly and fish swim! It's how they learn to problem solve, make decisions, express themselves, and build social skills. It's how they learn about the world and themselves!

I definitely get it. As adults, it's hard to wrap our heads around how play could be a form of expression, but just as music or art is a form for older people, we can find out a lot by watching the patterns and behaviors a child makes while playing. If you're experienced enough, you can not only understand what the child is trying to say, but you can help them process their BIG emotions.

I would love to help your children process their thoughts and feelings, especially the ones that experienced the tornado. If you have been relocated to The River Valley Area, Please call or text me at 501-515-2670.
My services will be completely free.💗





-CBT

Wise words from the Father of Play Therapy! Learning their language has helped me as a counselor better understand and connect to the children under my care. I know that some things are hard to say, so I'm thankful I can understand through play.

It’s humbling to hear these words. All I’ve ever wanted is to make a difference, and word’s like these help me know that I'm on the right path. I genuinely love what I do!

We will be going to the beach to relax and refresh. Insight will reopen on Monday, March 27th. Have a fun Spring Break!💗

Repost from a friend…

I have the honor of seeing non-offending parents and extending family members, of precious children who have experienced trauma. It’s so normal to carry the heavy burden of guilt and shame for what has happened…
I love Mayo Angelo’s words. Please read them, and allow them in.💗

Repost from Smile & Smile

Challenge! I want you to honestly fill in the blanks and know that there’s no shame in your answers! If you find yourself in need of help and looking for support, please reach out to me! I help parents navigate the behavioral difficulties with their children, and I can help you! ✨

My clients love these! If you are looking for amazing sensory toys, this it the place. High quality with reasonable prices.

Bright cosmic liquid colors that move with every step, jump, dance, or hop! Spooner Surfloor Liquid Tiles starting at $39.99 BUY NOW >> https://au-pr.co/surfloor

POV: You scheduled a call with me and now you are on your way to having a clear goal and plan best suited for your child’s needs!✨