Play therapy for children in Oak Brook
Play Therapy for Children in Oak Brook
Children often communicate through play before they can explain an experience in the abstract language adults use. Play therapy offers an age-responsive way for a child and therapist to build trust, notice patterns, practice skills, and work with concerns while keeping the process connected to the family context.
Children often communicate through play before they can explain an experience in the abstract language adults use. Play therapy offers an age-responsive way for a child and therapist to build trust, notice patterns, practice skills, and work with concerns while keeping the process connected to the family context.
Why play can belong in counseling
Play is not a break from the counseling work. In a planned therapeutic setting, it can give a child a more natural way to express themes, make choices, try new responses, and relate to the clinician. The therapist's role is purposeful, and the activities should be selected for the child and treatment goals rather than used as a generic formula.
What play therapy may look like
A session may combine play, brief conversation, structured activity, and skill practice. The balance can change as trust develops and as the child's age or needs change. Amy can explain the actual setup, kinds of activities, and approach during consultation.
Concerns a family may bring
Families may inquire about childhood anxiety, behavior concerns, family conflict, school or peer stress, transitions, grief, trauma, mood concerns, relational distress, or stress. Intake can help determine whether play therapy, another child counseling format, or a different resource fits the specific concern.
The parent or caregiver role
Amy's profile includes family and relationship interventions, attachment, and family-systems work. A parent or caregiver may provide history, join selected discussions, receive general guidance, or take part in family work when appropriate. The exact role depends on age, goals, consent, privacy, and clinical judgment. The child should not be asked to carry the entire responsibility for change in a family system.
Play therapy with Amy Brink
Amy Brink, LPC, NCC, specializes in work with children and adolescents. She uses Adlerian Child and Family Play Therapy, Trauma-Focused CBT, attachment, and family systems. Before becoming a counselor, she spent more than 15 years as an educator. Her background informs her understanding of young people, while OBCW's service here remains counseling rather than school testing, tutoring, or educational evaluation.
Deciding whether the service fits
When contacting intake, share the child's age, what you have noticed, important family or school context, who can consent, and any prior services you choose to mention. The team can explain current availability and whether an initial appointment with Amy is appropriate.
Before you reach out
Insurance
We work with several insurance and employee assistance (EAP) plans. Participation can vary by clinician, and benefits and eligibility should be verified.
Insurance and feesFees
- Initial intake or evaluation$250
- Individual psychotherapy$200
Sliding-scale availability can be discussed through intake. If cost is a concern, please tell our intake team and we will talk through your options honestly.
What happens next
- 01Reach out to our intake team
- 02Get thoughtfully matched
- 03Plan your first appointment
Finding the right therapist
We take matching seriously. The right fit between client and therapist matters, so our intake process is designed to understand your needs before suggesting someone.
Related counseling options
Frequently asked questions
Is play therapy just unstructured play?
Who provides play therapy at Oak Brook Counseling & Wellness?
Will I be included as a parent or caregiver?
Does play therapy guarantee behavior change?
Ask whether play therapy fits your child
Share your child's age, what you have noticed, and what you hope counseling could help the family understand or address.
Request a consultation