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Therapy for Children and Parents in Lexington, SC
At Gerber Play Therapy, we embrace the power of play as the language of children. Our expert therapist uses toys, empathy, and attuned responses to nurture emotional well-being in kids facing challenges like grief, ADHD, anxiety, family transitions, and trauma. By promoting confidence and self-efficacy through this unique, child-centered approach, we guide young lives towards resilience and balanced growth.
Meet Your Therapist
Jennifer is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Registered Play Therapy Supervisor who has worked with young children ages 3-10 for over 15 years. Jennifer has worked in agency settings, as well as a group practice, in the Columbia/ Lexington/ Chapin/ Irmo Area and is currently excited to be returning to the city of Lexington where she started her career to launch her private play therapy practice– Gerber Play Therapy! Jennifer is a Registered Play Therapist, and is also trained in Sand Tray Therapy, Filial Therapy (a Parent - Child Intervention), and Theraplay. Jennifer is committed to supporting the personal growth of parents in their jounrney to help, connect and parent their young child. Jennifer has dedicated her career to promoting and advocating for the use of play therapy to heal the hurts and hearts of children after seeing every day the “magic” that unfolds in the playroom when a child is seen, heard and honored in relationship with an attuned and present caregiver!
What is Parent Coaching?
At Gerber Play Therapy, we honor and respect the role of parenting in all it's struggles and joys, and are here to support parents through Parent Coaching Services. Parent Caoching is a one on one parent support session that assists parents with developing the skills and confidence to overcome parenting challenges, like tantrums, not listening, sibling fighting, anger outbursts over limit settings and bedtime resistance. Parent caaching is a 60 minute long session, and is just for parents.
Therapy Expectations
A typical play session begins in the waiting area of Jennifer’s office! From the moment Jennfier connects with a child and says hello, the play therapy session has begun. Jennifer then will conduct the play therapy session with the child while the parent/caregiver waits in the lobby nearby. In the playroom, your child will be engaged in play with therapeutic toys, art materials, therapeutic games and sand tray, white Jennifer processes feelings, explores themes in the play and facilitates mastery of developmental tasks (behavioral, social and emotional) while engaged in play with your child.
Sessions typically last 50-60 minutes, and the length of treatment (how many sessions needed) varies from child to child, and depends a great deal on parent involvement (children with involved caregivers typically respond better to treatment!) and the type of diagnosis your child has (trauma will be a longer treatment time line). If regular sessions are kept and caregivers are involved in treatment, improvement should be seen within 4-6 weeks.
Please Note: I do not work with families and children involved in custody cases and do not provide custody evaluations. I also am not qualified to conduct forensic evalutions or interviews, and do not provide these services (forensic evaluation are conducted by qualified examiners to determine whether a crime has occurred involving the child or parent).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Take Insurance?
Yes, I accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, Tricare East, Absolute Total Care Medicaid, Select Health Medicaid, Molina Medicaid and Blue Choice Medicaid
Our Self pay rates are between $125-$200
What are the qualifications of a play therapist?
A Play Therapist has to achieve 150 hours of teaching and instruction on play therapy, receive 50 hours of supervision with a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and have been observed and received feedback while conducting play therapy sessions with children, in addition to being a licensed therapist in their state.
How does play therapy work for children ages 5-10?
Children who are school age also receive Child Centered Play Therapy, however with some areas of treatment, Jennifer will blend directive techniques, such as relaxation skills, in addition to play therapy.
How long does each play therapy session last?
Sessions typically last 50-60 minutes.
How many sessions will my child need?
The length of treatment (how many sessions needed) varies from child to child, and depends a great deal on parent involvement (children with involved caregivers typically respond better to treatment!) and the type of diagnosis your child has (complex trauma therapy will be a longer treatment time line)
How can I support my child's therapy at home?
Jennifer will be happy to assist you with any skills learned in therapy so that you can reinforce these skills at home. Often it is empowering to have the child teach the caregiver what they have learned in the session!
How does play therapy help grade school-age children?
Children at this age are growing and learning at a rapid rate, and are adjusting to big developmental changes, both socially and emotionally. Therefore, new emotional challenges may arise, such as difficulty making friends, tantrums and anger outbursts at school, anxiety and school refusal, social anxiety, and learning challenges due inattentiveness and hyperactivity.Traumatic events and their emotional impact on a child’s growth can also affect social and emotional development at this age as well. Play Therapy can assist school age children with adjusting to life’s big challenges, and help parents manage big behavior and emotions in the school age child.
How will I know if the therapy is working?
Jennifer will meet with parents regularly to give feedback on your child’s progress and assist you with any concerns or updates to treatment. At this time, Jennifer will discuss progress and any setbacks. Typically. Parents will note in the sessions that symptoms have improved (ie less tantrums, better days at daycare, etc) as signs of progress.
What can I expect my preschool child to do during a session?
Play–because play is the child’s language! In play therapy, play is a serious business. It is the way that the child expresses needs, wants, emotions and processes sad or scary events. Also, parents will be more heavily involved in the treatment process with their child, as the child-parent relationship is critical to the healing process in young children.
Is there any preparation needed before the first play therapy session?
Before the first session, you can explain that you have noticed your child has been experiencing big feelings and/or big behaviors and that you have met an adult called a counselor named Ms. Jennifer who helps kids with big behavior and/ or big feelings and that she uses play to help kids “talk” about these things! You can tell them about the toys, and reassure them that you will stay until they feel comfortable.
Can I stay with my child during the session?
Young children will often need their parents to stay a few minutes to feel comfortable staying with a new counselor. Usually, after a few minutes your child is happily playing and ready for the therapy time with Jennifer. However, some children who are experiencing panic disorders, separation anxiety or trauma responses will need more time to adjust, and Jennifer will be sensitive to your child’s needs to have their parent/caregiver close by for a little while longer.
Contact
719 S. Lake Drive Lexington, SC 29072-3432
(803) 770-5659
M-Thursday (9am-5 pm)