marisameyerlpc

• World Mental Health Day •

Mental health awareness helps reduce stigma, promotes empathy, and encourages open conversations about mental health concerns.

Increased mental health awareness leads to early recognition and intervention of mental health issues, improving outcomes and preventing further distress.

How are you talking about mental health? ✨

The creation or appreciation of art is used to help people explore emotions, develop self-awareness, cope with stress, boost self-esteem, and work on social skills.

Techniques used in therapy using art can include:

- Collage
- Coloring
- Doodling and scribbling
- Drawing
- Finger painting
- Painting
- Photography
- Sculpting
- Working with clay

As clients create art, they may analyze what they have made and how it makes them feel. Through exploring their art, people can look for themes and conflicts that may be affecting their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. ✨

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-art-therapy-2795755

I think as a society we have learned and become so familiar with “just surviving, just keeping our head above water, just making it to the next thing.” We live our lives on autopilot unaware of special and sacred moments in between.

What if we pause? What if we stop completely? What if we do something different or new?

Take the time to think about the areas you need to breathe deep and unlearn. Think about the areas in your life where you want made new. You’ve got this. You’re so brave. ✨

A client today was working on what “trustworthy” meant to her. She soon began to unfold a neighborhood where everyone had someone to talk to and no one was left alone. So proud of my clients working hard in the Sandtray room!

Can we just reset for a minute? You’ve got this. I see you in this season. ✨

Proud of a client who is identifying where he feels certain emotions in his body! A lot to dive into now that he has unlocked more self-awareness. ✨

What is your child trying to communicate? ✨

Let’s slow down and be more curious around children!

• The Power of Puppets •

​Puppets are a great resource when working with children. There are so many ways to incorporate them into a counseling session or home. Puppets provide counselors and caregivers with a wonderful opportunity for getting into the child's world. The child often projects his/her feelings and thoughts into the puppet.

Make sure you have different types of puppets:
- animals
- people
- dragons
- friendly
- frightening
- fairylike
- helper (police, doctor, firefighter, teacher)
- finger puppets
- make your own puppets

They can stimulate imagination, encourage creative play and discovery, and can do wonders for speech and language, social-emotional, cognitive and physical development. If a child struggles with their expressive and receptive language, puppets can help support these areas of growth. ✨

May is Mental Health Awareness month! ✨

Ways you can contribute to your mental health in a positive way:

- slowing down and not overbooking yourself

- listening to your body and being mindful of what you need in certain moments

- eating healthy and staying hydrated

- getting enough sleep

- seeking out therapy to work on coping skills and having a safe place to explore all that life offers

Interested in services? Check out marisameyerlpc.com ✨

We are coming up on 2 years of my private practice and I cannot be more grateful for this safe space for myself and others. ✨

✨What pace are you living life? ✨

I’ve heard many stories about the dreaded and never ending journey to find the right fit for child therapy.

Hi! You’re welcome here. I’m here to help! Please never hesitate to reach out. ✨

✨ Awareness is the key to success in and out of the playroom. ✨

Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is designed for children ages 3–10 who are experiencing social, emotional, behavioral, or relational disorders. CCPT aims to create a safe and consistent environment that allows children to grow. CCPT is a one-on-one intervention that uses play and the therapeutic relationship to improve children’s functioning.

The therapeutic relationship is the primary technique of the intervention. During each session, the therapist follows eight child-centered principles: (1) develop a warm, friendly relationship with the child, (2) accept the child unconditionally, (3) establish a feeling of permissiveness in the relationship, (4) recognize and reflect the feelings of the child, (5) respect the child’s innate ability to solve their problems, (6) do not attempt to direct the child’s actions or conversation, (7) recognize the gradual nature of the child’s process, and (8) establish only those limitations that are necessary.

The therapist delivers sessions in a special playroom designed with objects, décor, and toys that serve a purpose. The five types of toys that help the child with self-expression include: (1) family/nurturing toys, (2) scary toys, (3) aggressive toys, (4) expressive toys, and (5) pretend/fantasy toys. The different toys allow the child to address specific emotions, including negative emotions, or to explore the adult world through pretend and role play.

During all interactions, the therapist lets the child take the lead and provides short verbal responses that match the child’s tone and approach. The therapist does not enter the child’s space or play without invitation and maintains an open and relaxed stance towards the child.

(https://preventionservices.acf.hhs.gov)

Play isn't all fun and games for children — it can also help them develop social connections, foster independence, and learn creative thinking. Play also helps children process their emotions and regulate their behaviors, which is why it's a powerful tool when it's utilized for play therapy.

While adults in therapy process their feelings by talking about them, children are unable to do that because of their limited vocabulary. So, since the time of Sigmund Freud, play has been used in therapy to help kids process their thoughts and emotions.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1096005

Marisa Meyer, Licensed Professional Counselor, Leawood, KS, 66211 | Psychology Today Marisa Meyer, Licensed Professional Counselor, Leawood, KS, 66211, (913) 361-5490, You are welcome here! Play Therapy for children can be such a gift to their development, attachment and well-being. I aim to meet your child/teen exactly where they are at. Therapy can be great to address attachment n...

✨ Take what you need. You should be so proud of the work you do everyday. ✨

• The “why” behind therapy •

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices.

Looking for services? Stuck on a waitlist?

I have plenty of space for you! Let’s chat!
Reach out at marisameyerlpc.com ✨

I want you showing up as your most authentic self! ✨

Things I want you to know:

•It’s okay to be nervous about your first session (and any after that).

•It’s okay to cry, get angry, unravel, etc. in my counseling space. I can hold any and all emotions with you! I genuinely want to hold a safe space for you and make you feel at ease within every session.

•It’s okay to voice your fears and concerns any time you need!

•If I am not the right fit for you, you are not obligated to stick around. I want you to have the best experience you can have on your journey to healing!

I believe working with the mind, body, and experience in the “here-and-now” hold equal opportunities for growth and discovery. This means that we will attune to your body in session while we process the past, present and future.

I graduated with an undergraduate degree in Human Development & Family Sciences with an emphasis in Child Development from the University of Arkansas. I received my Master’s degree in Marriage, Couple & Family Counseling from MidAmerica Nazarene University. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and am under supervision with Amber Johnson, LCPC, RPT-S (Creative Connections KC & Heartland Play Therapy). I am currently in training to become a Registered Play Therapist. I am also involved in the American Counseling Association, Kansas Counseling Association and the international honors society of Chi Sigma Iota.

✨Ready for services? Reach out now! ✨

Teach Through Love thank you for this reminder

This is WHY we PLAY!

• P L A Y •

“Enter into children’s play, and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, and souls meet.”

Curious about Sand Tray Therapy? ✨ Let me tell you about my favorite modality!

Sand tray therapy is a therapeutic technique, or tool, that can be used with kids, teens, and adults to help therapists diagnose and treat various mental health conditions.

Unlike other therapeutic techniques, this type of therapy allows you to show your feelings rather than articulate them.

That’s why it’s particularly effective for people who have lived through trauma or experienced abuse. They can express their emotions without having to experience the distress of talking or reliving the event.

It’s also an effective technique for kids because children sometimes have a difficult time expressing verbally how they’re feeling.

✨The good news? ✨
I have an ENTIRE room dedicated in my office just for exploration of sand tray therapy.

Reach out at marisameyerlpc.com to learn more!

Play is magic and essential to therapy for children. ✨

Finding the right therapist for your family can be daunting. How do you even know where to start?

Most therapists have their own unique approach to how they work with children and teens, so it’s best to write up a list of questions to ask them when you speak.

As you create this list, think about what you’re looking for in a therapist. Make sure you know what’s non-negotiable so you can rule out anyone who doesn’t meet your criteria.

Here are some general questions to consider:

✨Do you have any days/times available for new clients? Are you flexible around school hours?

✨Do you accept insurance or what is your hourly rate?

✨What’s your background and training working with children?

✨Do you have any cultural competency experience or training?

✨What type of therapeutic methods do you do with children? And with teens?

✨How often do you meet with parents?

✨Will you be in contact with my child’s teacher or guidance counselor?

✨How long do children usually stay in therapy with you?

Finding the right therapist for your child and committing to the process can improve your child’s life as well as your own.

Have more questions? Reach out at marisameyerlpc.com

How do I know if my child needs to see a therapist? How do I talk to my child about therapy? Are you qualified to work with my child?

I’d love to answer all your questions and ease your concerns! Let’s chat. ✨

• RETURNING MARCH 1 •

I cannot wait to start growing next to you and your family starting March 1st!

My new hours are Wednesdays and Fridays and I am officially taking new clients! Reach out through marisameyerlpc.com today! ✨