Every child deserves a place where they feel safe, understood, and free to express who they are. As a dedicated play therapy clinic in Green Bay, WI, we provide developmentally appropriate mental health support for children and families, ages 3 and up, using the power of therapeutic play. Our space is warm and child-centered, giving kids a comfortable environment to work through challenges and learn healthy emotional skills at their own pace.
Rooted in our passion for service Empower Play’s pediatric mental health experts serve with empathy, authenticity, and playfulness. Meet our dedicated Green Bay play therapy staff.
Children don’t communicate the same way adults do. They learn, express themselves, and process big feelings through play. That’s why play therapy is a proven, effective approach for helping kids navigate experiences such as anxiety, trauma, grief, ADHD, life transitions, and behavioral or emotional struggles.
Our work is grounded in the belief that kids don’t need to be “talked at” — they need to be seen, heard, and supported in the way that makes sense for their stage of development.
At Empower Play, we meet children exactly where they are and help them grow through approaches backed by research, empathy, and connection.
Ages 3-12
Ages 12-18
18 and up
Biological, foster, adoptive, kinship
When families come to Empower Play, they’re welcomed by compassionate and experienced child therapists who understand how to work with kids from all backgrounds, including children in foster care, children who have experienced trauma, and children navigating grief, anxiety, or emotional regulation challenges.
We’re committed to creating a therapeutic experience that is:
Here, therapy doesn’t feel scary or clinical — it feels safe, inviting, and empowering.
Play therapy is the most developmentally appropriate therapeutic method for children. While adults use words to process emotions and experiences, children use play. Through play, kids can safely express fears, worries, frustrations, hopes, and memories — even when they don’t have the words for them yet.
In play therapy, toys become a child’s language, and the playroom becomes their safe space to work through emotions in a way that feels natural. With the support of a trained play therapist, children begin to build coping skills, emotional awareness, and confidence.
Empower Play is here to answer all your questions if you’re new to play therapy and want to learn more.
Families across Northeast Wisconsin trust Empower Play for developmentally appropriate mental health care that puts the child first. Our services include:
Using toys, art, stories, movement, sand, and creative expression to help children explore feelings and build emotional resilience.
Supporting other providers who want to implement play therapy methods responsibly and effectively.
Therapeutic support tailored to the unique needs of children in and around the foster care system.
Helping parents understand what their child is working through, and how to continue supporting healing at home.
– Liz
– Jill
– Maja
When a child receives support, the whole family benefits. We partner with caregivers to offer guidance, communication tools, and insights that strengthen healthy family dynamics and reduce stress at home.
Parents tell us they appreciate:
Healing is a journey — and we’re honored to walk it with you.
Therapy sessions range from 45-60 minutes depending on individual needs and considerations and the activity engaged during the session.
Therapy sessions typically occur weekly or bi-weekly depending on the needs of client. The therapist will determine and notify you of determined session frequency.
The first session may take place virtually or in-person. For child or adolescent therapy, we prefer you to not have your child present. During the first session the adults present and therapist will spend time addressing any questions, reviewing intake paperwork, discussing developmental and symptom history, family dynamics, concerns, treatment goals, and the process of therapy. This is best done if we can speak openly without your child present.
It is important to prepare your child for therapy. Show them pictures of the therapy office and the therapist they will be seeing (found on the website). Explain to your child in a developmentally appropriate way what a therapist is, for example for younger children you may describe a therapist or counselor as a “feelings doctor”.
Tell your child that their counselor will play with them and help them learn about their thoughts and feelings.
Whatever they feel comfy and cozy in! We allow kids to take off their shoes if that helps them feel comfortable.
Sometimes kids choose to play with sand, slime, paint, or other messy medians. If these sound like activities your child may enjoy there is a chance, they may get dirty. We try our best to stay clean, but we can’t make any promises 😊.
While we do offer after school appointments, these spots are very limited and get filled quickly.
To communicate with your therapist, we offer several HIPPA compliant options. Please send your therapist an email, message through the portal, or call the therapist’s direct line and leave a message. It can be difficult to reach a therapist via phone, as therapists are in session throughout the day.
If you need to speak with a therapist that may require a more in-depth conversation/longer duration we ask that you schedule a parent without client session via the portal. These sessions are billed just as a therapy session would.
A therapist is unable to prescribe medication.
If medication is recommended, your therapist can provide a referral to a psychiatrist or other prescribing physician.
Yes, Play Therapy is typically utilized for children 13 years of age and younger. For those over the age of 13 we utilize play, expressive arts, movement, nature, animals, and games to help our clients feel empowered, educated, and evolve into best versions of themselves.
Empower Play therapists are trained in a vast array of evidenced based strategies (See each therapists bio for more specifics).
Step 1 (optional): Meet and Greet
We welcome meet and greets to ensure we are the right fit. Meet and greets last 15 minutes and can occur virtually or in person.
Step 2: Paperwork
After we are informed that you would like Empower Play to be your mental health provider, you will receive an email containing intake documents. These documents need to be reviewed and signed prior to beginning therapy. Once all documents have been completed and signed you are set to schedule your first appointment. All scheduling is completed through our online portal.
Step 3: Diagnostic Assessment
The first session is considered the diagnostic assessment. This appointment is 45-60 mins and consists of a review of intake documents, information gathering to help determine level of care and diagnosis. If the primary client is a child, this session will occur with caregiver/s only to allow for caregivers to talk openly regarding concerns.
Step 4: Treatment Plan
The second session is the treatment planning session. This session will last 45-60 mins the client and caregivers will collaborate to create long term goals and objectives. All goals are to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound (SMART).
Step 5: Let the Fun Begin!
Sessions are now client and therapist only. Sessions occur weekly to bi-weekly to begin and focus on rapport building and working towards goal achievement. Together we will engage in creative and playful interventions to support identified goals.
Step 6: Discharge
Though we love having you, discharge is always the goal. Though bittersweet when discharge occurs, we PARTY to celebrate growth and healing.
