E5 - More Than Just Fun - Understanding Play Therapy for Children and Teens

In this episode of Raising the Next Gen, we step inside the playroom with Maimoona Batool to explore how play therapy can be a powerful tool for helping children and teens navigate big feelings, trauma, and life transitions. Maimoona shares what led her to focus on play therapy and how it promotes emotional regulation, healing, and connection between kids and their caregivers. We unpack the signs that might indicate a child could benefit from therapy. Maimoona also breaks down how different approaches like sand tray, art, and talk therapy are blended for different age groups and developmental needs. As children grow, therapy evolves—and we explore how play therapy adapts to meet tweens and teens where they are. Maimoona also dispels common myths, like the belief that “kids don’t need therapy unless something’s seriously wrong.” We close by discussing the critical role communities play in supporting children’s mental health—from early intervention and school resources to making therapy more accessible for families. --- Learn more about Maimoona Batool: Maimoona Batool Play therapist, Registered Psychotherapist and Canadian Certified Counsellor. She is the Clinic Director at Batool Wellness, the first certified play therapy center located in York Region, specifically the city of Vaughan in Ontario, Canada. The clinic is dedicated to providing exceptional mental health services to children, individuals, and families across York Region and beyond. With a focus on innovative and compassionate care, Batool Wellness offers specialized therapies such as play therapy and sand-play therapy, EMDR, and art-based approaches.  Follow and connect with Maimoona on ⁠Instagram⁠ to learn more about play therapy and how to work with her Batool Wellness. --- Did you like this episode? Remember to leave a review and hit that follow button so you never miss an episode!