Play Therapy for Anxiety in Children in San Ramon, CA

If your child is worrying about things that never used to bother them, and reassurance stopped working a while ago, you’re probably watching closely and feeling a little helpless. Anxiety in young children rarely comes out in words. It shows up as stomachaches, clinging, meltdowns before school, or a sudden fear of things they used to handle just fine. Play therapy for anxiety in children gives kids a way to work through those feelings using the language they already know best: play.

At Treehouse Family Counseling Services, we work with children in person in San Ramon and serve families throughout the East Bay. Most families start with a phone call to describe what they’re seeing and find out whether this is a good fit.

Why play, and not just talking

Young children often can’t explain what they’re anxious about. Their worries live somewhere below words, in feelings they don’t have names for yet.

Play is how children make sense of their world. In the playroom, a child can act out what scares them, practice feeling brave, and slowly build a sense of control they don’t feel in daily life. Our therapist follows the child’s lead while gently guiding the work toward a corrective experience.

Many parents come to us wondering whether does play therapy help with anxiety, and the research shows it can be remarkably effective for younger kids. If you are new to this approach, it helps to understand what is play therapy for children before deciding if it fits your family.

What anxiety can look like in a child

Anxiety doesn’t always announce itself. It often hides inside behavior that looks like something else.

• Trouble falling asleep or frequent nightmares
• Complaints of stomachaches or headaches with no clear cause
• Meltdowns before school, parties, or new situations
• Clinging, or refusing to be apart from a parent
• Asking the same worried questions over and over
• Avoiding activities they used to enjoy

If some of these feel familiar, you’re not imagining it. These are the everyday signs that a child is carrying more worry than they can manage alone.

How the work unfolds

The first session is about meeting your child where they are. Our therapist brings warmth and patience, and lets the child lead while we begin to understand what’s going on. Sessions run 50 minutes, usually once a week.

Once trust is there, the work goes deeper. We help your child build coping skills that dial down the intensity of big feelings, and practice them through play until they start to hold in real life.

Parents aren’t left on the outside. We meet with parents every four to six weeks to share what we’re seeing and give you ways to support your child at home.

A treatment team around your family

Anxiety in one child often touches the whole family. That’s why we work as a collaborative team rather than as separate providers.

One family may have two or three therapists working on different parts of the picture, including individual play therapy for the child, parent support, and family sessions together. Everyone stays connected, so the pieces move in the same direction.

Anxiety can show up differently at every age, which is why our child and teen therapy is tailored to where each young person is developmentally. As children grow older, talk-based teen therapy for anxiety often becomes the more natural next step.

Getting started

Booking begins with a phone call to our office at 925-820-8447. After you speak with our Intake Coordinator, Christine Holmberg, LMFT, a therapist is assigned and your first session is scheduled promptly. If a therapist isn’t immediately available, your call is returned within 24 hours.

We are private pay only and do not bill insurance. We provide a superbill on request that you can submit to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement. At least one of our clinicians offers a free consultation call.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my child’s anxiety needs therapy? If worry is getting in the way of sleep, school, friendships, or family life, it’s worth a conversation. You don’t have to wait for a crisis. A short phone call can help you decide whether support makes sense right now.

How long before we see a change? Every child is different, but many parents notice smaller shifts within the first several weeks. The most common outcome we see is a reduction in anxiety symptoms and more coping skills to manage big feelings, which makes daily life easier.

Do you involve parents in the process? Yes. We meet with parents every four to six weeks to share progress and give you practical ways to support your child at home. Your involvement is part of what makes the work stick.

How old should my child be for play therapy? Play therapy works well for children roughly ages 4 through 12. The playroom is designed for how young children naturally communicate, which is through play rather than conversation.

Do you accept insurance? No, we are private pay only. We provide a superbill on request that you can submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement.

In case of an emergency

If you or your child are in crisis, please reach out to one of the following resources:

• 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• Crisis Support Services of Alameda County: 1-800-309-2131
• Contra Costa County Crisis Center: (925) 939-1916