Play therapy is an evidence-based approach that uses play as a natural way for children to express themselves, helping them navigate their experiences and emotions. It is primarily used for children ages 3 to 12 but can also benefit older children and adults with cognitive impairments. This therapeutic intervention addresses cognitive, social, behavioral, and emotional difficulties, with licensed professionals guiding children in processing their experiences and developing effective coping strategies.

For additional information on play therapy, please visit the official Association for Play Therapy website at https://www.a4pt.org

Keith uses person-centered play therapy rooted in social justice principles. He prioritizes children's feelings and creates a safe and inclusive environment for expression. By honoring individual narratives and cultural contexts, Keith empowers children to address systemic injustices, facilitate emotional healing, and advocate for social equity in understanding their cultural identities and experiences.

At Social Justice Play Therapy, we see children exclusively in person, as this approach is generally considered more effective than online play therapy. For instance, online treatment can limit the observation of nonverbal cues, decrease physical interaction with toys, and increase potential distractions in the home environment, making it challenging for certain therapists to fully access and respond to a child's needs. Every child's unique experiences, emotions, and challenges deserve our full attention. Therefore, we aim to be present with every child in person. This commitment allows us to build rapport, trust, and nurturing connections that are essential for effective therapeutic engagement, which virtual interactions often cannot replicate.

At Social Justice Play Therapy, we prioritize parental and guardian involvement throughout the counseling process. Active participation fosters cohesion and maximizes support for the child. All legal guardians must complete the consent paperwork before their child can receive services to ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards in providing care.

Paperwork: Prior to the intake session, the client’s parent or legal guardian will provide their insurance information and credit or debit card details to be kept on file, as well as complete the onboarding intake and consent forms to schedule an appointment.
Confidentiality: The therapist will explain the limits of confidentiality and privacy in therapy.  
Background Information: The parent or legal guardian will be able to provide general background information, reasons for seeking therapy, and any present concerns about their child.
Therapeutic Approach: The therapist will explain their counseling style and treatment methods and provide information about the therapeutic process.  
Treatment Goals: The parent or legal guardian will collaborate with the therapist to discuss their child’s strengths and goals for therapy.
Treatment Preferences and Expectations: The parent or legal guardian will have the opportunity to openly share their preferences and expectations for therapy to determine the best fit and the most appropriate level of care for their child.

The playroom at Social Justice Play Therapy is designed to create a safe and inclusive environment that encourages self-expression and exploration. The setup typically includes various categories of toys, such as real-life and nurturing, acting-out, aggressive, scary and fear-inducing, creative expression, emotional release, and imaginative play. The selection of toys and materials includes but is not limited to dolls, action figures, art supplies, building blocks, sensory bins, punching bags, and costumes and puppets. These toys foster creativity, emotional expression, and social skills, allowing children to communicate their feelings and experiences through play.

Play therapy sessions typically last between 30 to 45 minutes and are scheduled on a weekly basis. Research indicates that most children referred for treatment may require an average of 20 sessions to address their issues effectively (Carmichael, 2006; Landreth, 2002). However, the duration can vary; some children may show improvement more quickly, while others facing more complex or persistent challenges may take longer to resolve their problems.

Play therapy is an effective therapeutic approach for children facing various challenges. It can help those experiencing academic difficulties, issues adapting to new environments, depression, aggressive and defiant behavior, anger management problems, anxiety, attachment and adoption concerns, isolation, relationship difficulties, and trauma. This method allows children to express their emotions, process their experiences, and develop coping strategies through play in a secure, nurturing, and supportive environment.

In play therapy, children have the right to a confidential therapeutic relationship with their counselors, similar to adults, emphasizing a safe environment free from external expectations and judgment. While parents and legal guardians are integral to a child's well-being and have rights in the therapy process, they are not permitted to observe sessions to maintain this confidentiality. Circumstances that may require breaching this confidentiality include situations where the child poses a risk to themselves or others, as well as suspected cases of child abuse or neglect.

Social Justice Play Therapy prioritizes communication with parents and legal guardians through initial consultations and ongoing updates about their child's progress and themes in therapy. This approach ensures parents and legal guardians remain informed and engaged while respecting the child's need for a private therapeutic space.

Evaluating a child's progress in play therapy involves several key steps, including observational reports, goal tracking, feedback from parents and legal guardians, the child’s self-reports, improvements in play skills, emotional regulation, and documentation to assess overall developmental progress. Regular evaluations facilitate timely interventions and ensure the therapy remains effective.

Play therapy typically concludes when a child has met their therapeutic goals and demonstrated improved coping skills, emotional regulation, and problem-solving abilities. The decision to end play therapy involves a collaborative process between the therapist, the child, and the parents or legal guardians.

Play therapy serves as a valuable intervention that empowers children to take responsibility for their behaviors, improve their social skills, enhance their emotional regulation, and develop effective coping strategies. Through play, children can discover innovative solutions to problems, enhance self-acceptance, and cultivate empathy for others. This therapeutic approach allows children to express and manage their emotions, learn essential social and relational skills with family members, and ultimately build self-efficacy. As a result, children gain greater confidence in their abilities and navigate their interactions with increased assurance.

The No Surprises Act, effective January 1, 2022, protects patients from unexpected medical bills from out-of-network care. It prevents higher charges for emergency services from out-of-network providers and non-emergency services at in-network facilities unless patients give prior consent. The law promotes clear healthcare costs, allowing patients to better predict their expenses.

A Good Faith Estimate is required under this act, mandating healthcare providers to give patients a cost estimate for services before treatment. This estimate must be provided in a timely manner, helping patients make informed choices about their care and costs. It outlines expected charges, any adjustments based on insurance, and potential additional costs. This initiative is necessary for fostering transparency and accountability within the healthcare system, leading to a more equitable and patient-centered approach to medical care.

For further details about the No Surprises Act and its implications, please consult the information available from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises

The rates for sessions at Social Justice Play Therapy are as follows; however, they are subject to change, and clients will be notified of any adjustments. The rates do not include sales tax, processing fees, and additional charges. All fees are due at the time of service.

Estimated Charges for Play Therapy Services:

Play Therapy Session:

45-Minute Play Therapy Session: $125 per session

Child-Parent Therapy Session:
60-Minute Counseling Session (with child, parent, or guardian): $175 per session

We are an Out-of-Network Provider, and we can provide you with a detailed receipt of payment for services, commonly referred to as a “superbill.” You can submit this documentation to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. We encourage you to contact your insurance provider directly to inquire about your Out-of-Network Benefits.

Social Justice Play Therapy is in-network with United Healthcare, Cigna, and Aetna in New Jersey, offering high-quality care to its members. If your insurance company denies benefits or does not pay for any reason, you are responsible for the remaining balance. A pre-certification does not guarantee payment of benefits. We appreciate your understanding.

As Social Justice Play Therapy expands, we aim to increase healthcare coverage and make mental health care more accessible for clients.

Please contact Social Justice Play Therapy directly for detailed information about our sliding scale options or to inquire about pro bono sessions on a case-by-case basis, depending on availability. Your mental health matters; we are here to help you find the right support and resources.

Our practice requires a 24-hour notice for rescheduling or canceling an appointment. If a session is canceled on the same day or you miss your appointment, clients will be charged a $75 fee. This fee cannot be billed to your insurance company and will be your direct responsibility. This policy allows us to maintain a schedule that respects the time of both clients and therapists. Thank you for your understanding.