Play Therapy for kids, teens, and adults in Virginia

Play therapy isn’t “just playing.” It’s a powerful, evidence-based approach used to support children who are:
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• Struggling with anxiety, grief, trauma, or big emotions

• Acting out with aggression, defiance, or withdrawal

• Having trouble with transitions, separation, or school issues

• Navigating changes like divorce, loss, or moves

• Being referred for behavioral concerns or special education

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Through play, we can gently help your child:
✔ Understand and name their emotions
✔ Learn healthier ways to cope and communicate
✔ Build self-esteem and confidence
✔ Strengthen their sense of safety and connection
✔ Develop skills for school, friendships, and home life

Every person — child, teen, or adult — deserves a space to express what words can’t always say. At Wholistic Alignment, we use play therapy and expressive techniques to help clients safely explore their inner world, regulate their emotions, and reconnect with themselves.
No two sessions are the same, but here’s how we might support healing:

Imaginary Play
For younger children, pretend play helps externalize fears, understand power dynamics, and build emotional safety through role-play, figures, and symbolic storytelling.

Creative Expression
We use art, music, movement, and journaling across all ages to help clients process feelings, access memories, and express themselves without pressure.

Mind-Body Regulation Tools
Clients learn how to notice and soothe their nervous systems using breathwork, grounding, yoga-inspired movement, and body-based awareness practices.
 
Sandtray & Storytelling
With both children and adults, sandtray and narrative techniques offer a powerful way to make meaning of past experiences and create new possibilities.

Parts Work & Inner Child Healing
For teens and adults, we integrate play therapy with IFS-informed approaches to explore inner roles, reconnect with younger parts, and foster self-compassion.

Parent Support + Coaching
For child and teen clients, we involve parents through regular check-ins, collaborative planning, and practical tools to support healing at home. For more information on Parent Coaching click here.

At Wholistic Alignment, your child is supported by a team — not just one therapist.
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Ashley Waddell, LCSW, RPT™, brings years of experience in school social work, trauma treatment, and child-parent therapy. She oversees all treatment plans and provides ongoing supervision to ensure high-quality, integrative care.
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Our pre-licensed clinicians are trained in play therapy principles and bring a passion for working with tweens and teens who may not thrive in traditional talk therapy. They use a mix of play-based, expressive, and relational tools to support emotional regulation, identity exploration, and behavior challenges — especially for Black and Brown youth.

Working with a supervisee means your child receives accessible, responsive care that’s always backed by expert supervision and support.

Schedule a Parent Intake Call – This session is for you to share your concerns and get a clear sense of how I can help.
 
Create a Plan – I’ll tailor a play therapy plan for your child’s unique needs and development.
 
Ongoing Sessions + Support – We’ll build trust with your child and walk alongside your family through the healing process.