Therplay

What does Theraplay help with?

Child wearing a striped polo shirt, playing with colorful Lego bricks, focused on assembling pieces.

Theraplay is a child and family therapy approach that focuses on building healthy, secure attachments between children and their caregivers. It uses playful, structured, and nurturing activities to strengthen connection, increase trust, and support emotional regulation.

Based on principles of attachment theory, Theraplay is especially helpful for children who have experienced trauma, loss, or disruptions in bonding, and it actively involves parents or caregivers in the healing process.

  • Strengthens the bond between parent and child

  • Couches the “work” of therapy in fun and play

  • Builds a greater sense of trust, safety, and self-esteem

  • Helps parent and child to enjoy each other more

foster & adoption,

attachment issues,

behavioural problems,

developmental delays,

childhood trauma,

establishing trust,

foster & adoption, attachment issues, behavioural problems, developmental delays, childhood trauma, establishing trust,

  • “Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must, but take a step.”

    -Naeem Callaway

Brick building with fire escape and large mural reading "How are you, really?" on its facade.

What you can expect at Selah

We know that every person carries unique experiences and circumstances with them to therapy.

We believe your counselling experience should integrate a process that seeks to bring you hope and change through the following steps:

  1. You will pick whether you want to attend in-person, virtual or hybrid. 

  2. You will get started with your initial session. Relationship building is the most crucial stage during this appointment, as trust and connection are vital in the therapeutic process. It takes “on average”, two or more sessions before you can determine your fit with the therapist. We always say, “Don’t give up on counselling, but connect with a new counsellor if not a good fit.” Don’t hesitate to contact our Intake Coordinator at 519-281-1845 or intake@selahsupport.ca if not a good fit. 80% of your change in therapy is about the relationship with your therapist. 

  3. During your initial sessions, you will share your current circumstances and areas you would like to see changed, and then we will go from there. We want to get to know you.  

  4. Once you and your therapist feel you are comfortable and present concerns and desires are shared, you will begin to work through various activities, skills, and treatment methods We aim to work with you in partnership, helping you gain insight and new skills that create an environment for change. 

Let’s work together.