Dr. Anna Jean Berman

Play Therapy

Toys are children's words, and Play is their language

~Garry Landreth

Play Therapy

Play is serious business for children: It is how they make sense of the world, how they process their place in it, and how they learn who they are. A child may enter my play room for a myriad of reasons: difficulties socially, academically, emotionally; distress due to a change in their family dynamics, or other changes. I facilitate therapeutic play to help organize their mind when they don’t have the words for what is happening. Children are resilient: with support through therapy, they can discover their own solutions and grow. 

*I offer in-person sessions three afternoons a week. Please email me directly to secure your child’s spot! All children and adults, who are able, must be vaccinated for safety reasons. 

What to Expect

Before Meeting With Your Child: After the consultation call, I like to book an initial intake with all caregivers. If this isn’t possible (lives are busy!) then let me know and usually one caregiver intake will suffice. In the case of separated or divorced parents, I will reach out to both parents to offer parent intakes. Caregiver intakes allow me to get a comprehensive look at your child’s life, allow me to ask sensitive questions, and allow you to ask sensitive questions, that the child does not necessarily need to hear. This session also allows you to get to know me as a person to trust your child with, and for me to get to know your perspective! Please note, if you are separated or divorcing, this process may look different.

Following Caregiver Meeting(s): I will meet with your child! Depending on the age, I may also invite the caregiver in as well. I am a stranger to your child, after all! I may have a few activities for your child, some get to know you games, but mostly I will let your child explore the playroom in order to get comfortable. It usually takes three or four sessions for the child to get comfortable with the process and begin opening up.

After the First Few Sessions: I will either schedule a meeting or a check in with you to share my observations, my perspective on the trajectory of therapy, and the general plan. This will also be an opportunity to ask me more questions. Be aware, that due to confidentiality, I can only share certain things. Rest assured, if there is anything that can help you support your child at home or reinforce what your child has learned, I will do my best to communicate that with you! I ask that you trust the process as I do. Every child is different

Other Services

Individual Therapy

Individuals come in to therapy for a variety of reasons. I can help with: depression, anxiety, self esteem and self worth, emotional regulation, social distress, and more through identifying and modifying unhelpful thoughts.

Couple Therapy

Whether you and your partner want to improve your communication, process through a difficult life event, or even preemptively work on your partnership,  Emotionally Focused Therapy will help.

Individual Therapy

Individual Therapy

Individuals come in to therapy for a variety of reasons. I can help with: depression, anxiety, self esteem and self worth, emotional regulation, social distress, and more through identifying and modifying unhelpful thoughts.

Couple Therapy

Couple Therapy

Whether you and your partner want to improve your communication, process through a difficult life event, or even preemptively work on your partnership,  Emotionally Focused Therapy will help.