Child Therapy in Palm Desert and throughout CA.

Because Behind Every Behavior Is a Child Trying to Be Understood

Supporting Your Child's Emotional Well-Being

“I’ve tried everything… why is nothing working?”

If this thought feels familiar, you're not alone.

As a parent, it can be heartbreaking to see your child struggle with big emotions, behavioral challenges, or sudden changes. You've been patient, gentle, firm, done everything you can think of, and still, something feels off.

Child looking at animal cards with therapist indicating child therapy play therapy session.

A Child-Centered Approach to Healing

At Haven Wellness Therapy, I offer play therapy as a gentle, developmentally appropriate way to support children’s emotional health.

Children don’t always have the words, but they do have play.

Through therapeutic play, children can safely explore their feelings, build coping skills, and begin to make sense of their world in a way that feels natural, safe, and empowering.

Child playing in a therapy session to explore emotions.

Play Therapy Can Support Children Who Are:

  • Struggling with anxiety, sadness, or emotional overwhelm

  • Having difficulty with emotional regulation or behavior

  • Adjusting to major changes (divorce, adoption, new sibling)

  • Dealing with school stress or peer relationship issues

  • Impacted by family fertility journeys or postpartum transitions

Child and therapist connecting through play-based therapy.

In Our Sessions, Your Child Will:

✔️ Express thoughts and emotions through play-based activities
✔️ Develop self-regulation and emotional language
✔️ Build resilience, confidence, and healthy coping strategies
✔️ Feel seen, supported, and accepted just as they are

Child engaging in sensory activity during play therapy.

When We Support a Child, We Support the Whole Family

Play therapy nurtures your child’s emotional growth, while also helping you better understand their inner world by strengthening your relationship through play.

Ready to begin play therapy?

Click below to book a free 15-minute parent consultation to explore how therapy can support your child.

Book Your Free Consultation

  • Hi, I’m Sophie Bain-Tohl (she/her), a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a warm, playful approach to working with children and families. I specialize in helping kids express themselves through play, movement, and connection, especially when words are hard to find.

    What to Expect:
    Child therapy offers a safe, age-appropriate space for your child to process big feelings and build resilience. Sessions often involve creative expression, gentle structure, and co-regulation. I’ll also work closely with you to support the parent-child bond and help things feel more connected at home.

  • I show up with warmth, honesty, and zero judgment. I’m not a blank slate kind of therapist — I’ll reflect, ask thoughtful questions, and gently challenge you when it feels supportive. Our work is collaborative, embodied, and paced with care. You don’t have to have it all figured out to start.