Parent-Child Play Therapy is trauma sensitive and draws from the concepts of Child Parent Relational Therapy (CPRT), traditional play therapy models, ecotherapy and attachment theory. Recognizing that parents and caregivers are powerful therapeutic change agents in their children’s lives, Parent and Child Play Therapy is a play-based, attachment focused therapeutic model where the child and primary caregiver are concurrently engaged in individual therapy sessions, and when both parties are ready, the parent and child are brought together in conjoint therapy sessions. Individual sessions with the primary caregivers include psychoeducation about child development, attachment, behavior and trauma and the interplay of these elements in the formation of children’s relational needs. Additionally, each week parents are taught basic child-led, attachment-focused, play therapy skills (utilizing the research and materials of CPRT), which parents are supported to practice at home during weekly “special play time” with their children. Each subsequent week, the new skill and “special play time” experience is reviewed and additional psychoeducation, counseling and support is provided to ensure that each attachment concept and corresponding parenting skill is mastered and effectively utilized. This process supports caregivers to attune to their children, accurately interpret their child’s cues and miscues, make sense of their child’s behaviors (including challenging or disruptive behaviors), and understand and meet their children’s underlying needs. Parents are guided and supported to provide sensitive, responsive care, which directly strengthens the parent-child attachment relationship. Additionally, during individual parent sessions, any barriers that may inhibit the parent’s ability to develop a secure attachment with their child are addressed. This work includes reflecting upon the parent’s own attachment history, experience of past trauma, exploring and evaluating their caregiving impulses and patterns, and addressing any mental health needs. During the course of treatment, while the parent is receiving individual sessions, the child is engaged in individual non-directive play therapy. Through play therapy, I support children to express their inner experiences, work through trauma, address behavioral challenges -- and simultaneously I develop a greater understanding of the child and develop a trusting relationship. As the therapeutic relationship with the child develops, it allows me to not only serve and support the child’s healing, but also allows me to more effectively partner with the parent in their child’s mental, developmental, relational and emotional health. Having a therapeutic and trusting relationship with both the parent and child allows me to more effectively understand the relational dynamics at play between them, observe both party’s automatic impulses in relationship, and act as a bridge and guide for the parent-child dyad as they navigate the sometimes difficult terrain of parenting, healing, and the development of a secure relationship. When I assess that both parent and child are ready, I bring the work with parent and child together, and conduct play-based family therapy, where I provide real-time support and feedback for the parent-child dyad, and counsel the parent in positive parenting strategies and relational skills that will support the child’s development, strengthen the attachment bond, and stabilize the child’s placement. Additionally, at times when parents are struggling with mastering a specific skill and experiencing challenges with their home-based “special play time,” I will initiate conjoint sessions in order to observe the parent engaging in special play time with the child and provide relevant feedback, coaching, and support to assist the parent in mastering and implementing each skill. Once a trusting and safe relationship has been established with both parent and child, I make use of the research-verified positive impacts of green space upon neurobiology, health, and wellness, and conduct conjoint child and parent play therapy sessions in green spaces, such as local parks and at Wildrock, a natural playscape in Crozet VA. When it is clinically indicated, I will continue play therapy services with the child after sessions with the parent have ended.