CHILD THERAPY & PLAY THERAPY IN FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA
A SAFE SPACE FOR CHILDREN TO FEEL, EXPRESS, AND GROW
Children experience big feelings, worries, transitions, and challenges, but they don't always have the words to tell us what is happening inside.
At Renew Art Therapy and Counseling, we meet children where they are. Through play, creativity, conversation, and connection, we help children feel safe exploring their emotions, understanding themselves, and developing healthy ways to cope with the world around them.
We believe therapy should feel welcoming and supportive—not like another place where a child has to perform or have all the right words. We take time to build a trusting relationship with each child and create space for them to express themselves in ways that feel natural.
PLAY THERAPY
Play is an essential part of human growth. Through play, we learn, experiment, resolve inner conflicts, and cultivate relationships. Play therapy creates a safe and nurturing environment where children can communicate their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a language they understand best: play.
In play therapy, children are encouraged to engage in various forms of play, from storytelling with dolls to painting their feelings on a canvas. These activities offer a way for children to express themselves without relying solely on words.
Play therapy isn't just about having fun; it is a meaningful process that allows children to work through their feelings and conflicts at their own pace. Through play, children can develop coping strategies, strengthen emotional regulation, build resilience, and grow in their communication and problem-solving skills. Play can also help children develop self-awareness, navigate relationships, and rediscover joy.
HOW WE WORK WITH CHILDREN
Every child is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to child therapy.
We look beyond behaviors and symptoms to understand the whole child—their emotions, relationships, experiences, strengths, and the world around them. Depending on your child's needs and developmental stage, therapy may incorporate play therapy, art and creative expression, mindfulness, conversation, and other age-appropriate approaches.
Our goal is to help children develop a greater understanding of themselves while building skills for emotional regulation, communication, problem-solving, coping, and healthy relationships.
Most importantly, we want children to feel seen and understood. Therapy can be a place where they can be curious, creative, honest, and fully themselves.
SUPPORTING THE WHOLE FAMILY
Children do not grow and heal in isolation. They are part of a larger family system, shaped by the relationships, experiences, and patterns that surround them.
At Renew, we understand that we are just one piece of the puzzle. While a child's individual therapy can offer meaningful support, lasting change often involves understanding what is happening within the family system, too. The ways we communicate, respond to one another, and seek connection can influence how children experience and navigate the world.
Parents and caregivers know their children in ways that no therapist can, and we deeply value your insight, knowledge, and involvement in the therapeutic process. We believe that supporting a child also means supporting the people who care for them.
When appropriate, we collaborate with parents and caregivers throughout therapy, offering resources, guidance, and practical tools to help you better understand your child's emotions and respond to their needs at home. Our hope is that the work we do together extends beyond the therapy room and becomes part of everyday family life.
PARENT COACHING WITH SHANNON WISE
Parenting can bring moments of deep connection, as well as moments of uncertainty, frustration, and disconnection. Sometimes, despite our best intentions, we find ourselves caught in patterns with our children that are difficult to understand or change.
Parent coaching with Shannon Wise offers parents a supportive space to explore these patterns, better understand their child's emotional needs, and strengthen the connection they share.
Shannon incorporates emotionally focused and attachment-focused approaches into her work with parents. Together, you can explore the emotions and needs beneath challenging behaviors, recognize patterns that may be contributing to disconnection, and develop more supportive ways of responding to your child.
Rather than focusing solely on changing a child's behavior, parent coaching invites a deeper understanding of what may be happening beneath the surface, for both the child and the parent. Through this process, parents can build greater confidence in their responses, strengthen emotional connection, and find new ways to navigate difficult moments together.
We believe meaningful change does not come from expecting parents to have all the answers. It begins with curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to understand ourselves and our children in new ways.
Supporting parents is an important part of supporting children. When the relationships around a child begin to shift, new possibilities for connection, growth, and healing can emerge throughout the family.
WHEN CHILD THERAPY OR PARENT COACHING MAY HELP
Child therapy or parent coaching may be helpful when your family is navigating emotional, behavioral, relational, or developmental challenges.
You may consider reaching out if your child or family is experiencing:
Anxiety, worry, or frequent fears
Big emotions or difficulty regulating feelings
Changes in behavior at home or school
Difficulty expressing feelings or needs
Social or friendship challenges
Low self-esteem or confidence
School-related stress
Grief or loss
Family changes or transitions
Difficulty adjusting to a new situation
A difficult or overwhelming experience
Repeated patterns of conflict or disconnection between parent and child
Challenges understanding your child's emotional needs or responding to difficult behaviors
A desire to strengthen attachment, connection, and communication within your family
You don't have to wait until you have all the answers before reaching out. Sometimes, having a supportive professional help you understand what your child may be experiencing—or explore the patterns unfolding within your family—can be a meaningful first step.
A PLACE TO GROW
Our hope is that therapy becomes a place where your child feels safe enough to explore, express, and grow.
Through play, creativity, connection, and a supportive therapeutic relationship, children can begin to understand their emotions, discover their strengths, and develop new ways of navigating the world.
And alongside your child, we are here to support you, too. Whether through your child's individual therapy, parent coaching, or collaboration between the two, our intention is to support the relationships and connections that help children and families thrive.
Because when a child is supported, the whole family has an opportunity to grow, heal, and reconnect.
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
Finding the right support for your child and family is an important part of your journey. We invite you to connect with our team for a complimentary 20-minute consultation to explore your needs and see whether Renew feels like the right fit.