Yes. Play therapy for a teen looks different than play therapy with a 5 year old. While Play Therapy is often associated with younger children, it can be highly effective for teens when tailored to their developmental needs. For teens, Play Therapy may incorporate creative activities, structured exercises, expressive arts, or experiential techniques that help them process emotions, manage anxiety, and work through challenges in a safe and supportive environment. Our therapists adjust the approach for each teen to ensure it feels meaningful and respectful of their maturity.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that can help children and teens work through hard things, process traumatic events that might be stuck. Sometimes things happen in a child’s life that get “stuck”, EMDR therapy helps them overcome that so they are able to live life and not be held back from the bad thing that happened. EMDR can also help to improve self esteem and beliefs about themselves such as changing “I’m not good enough” to “I’m enough as I am.”

Yes. We are in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, PEIA (UMR), and PEAK. If you have an indurance we are out-of-network with, we can provide you with a superbill to try and get reimbursement through your insurance with out of network benefits. 

Private pay and Out-of-network cost is $165

The duration varies depending on your child’s needs and goals. Some children benefit from short-term sessions, while others may continue therapy over several months. Progress is regularly reviewed with parents to ensure effective support.

All therapy begins with a parent intake with just you and the therapist. Sessions are all 55 minutes long and we can schedule appointments as frequently as needed.

Some signs that therapy may be helpful include persistent anxiety, difficulty managing emotions, changes in behavior, struggles at school or with peers, traumatic experiences, or challenges navigating life transitions. Even if you’re unsure, reaching out for a consultation can help you understand your child’s needs and explore supportive options. Therapy isn’t only for crises, it can provide guidance, coping skills, and emotional support before challenges become overwhelming.

The initial intake is a longer, more comprehensive appointment designed to fully understand your child’s needs before beginning therapy. During this session, we gather important background information, explore current concerns, review developmental and family history, and begin creating a thoughtful, individualized treatment plan. This additional time and clinical preparation helps ensure therapy is intentional, effective, and tailored specifically to your child from the very beginning.

If your child is 15 or younger, we typically have this first session with only the parents/parent/guardian present.

You will pay $185 for the first appointment, and then $165 for appointments after that.

You pay up front, we can automatically give you a superbill (like a receipt) that you can then submit to your insurance to try and get reimbursed. This is what “out-of-network” benefits are.

We understand that family situations can be complex, and we strive to handle these situations thoughtfully, respectfully, and in accordance with legal and ethical guidelines.

When parents are divorced or separated, we typically request contact information for both parents or legal guardians. This allows us to verify that both parents are aware of and supportive of therapy, when appropriate. In most cases, we also ask both parents to complete intake paperwork and provide consent before therapy begins.

If there are custody agreements, court orders, or specific legal considerations, we may request documentation to ensure we are following those guidelines appropriately.

Our goal is to support your child while respecting family dynamics, maintaining clear communication, and following best practices for child therapy.

To maintain a supportive and therapeutic environment for your child, The Sandbox Play Therapy Center does not accept cases involving active or ongoing court proceedings related to custody, parenting plans, or other legal matters involving the child. Therapy is most effective when the focus remains on your child’s emotional well-being rather than legal or evaluative purposes.

Our therapists do not provide custody evaluations, make custody recommendations, or participate in court proceedings. We do not attend court, provide testimony, or serve as expert witnesses.

If a therapist is asked to provide documentation, such as a treatment summary or supportive letter, this may be considered on a case-by-case basis and is subject to an additional fee. Requests of this nature must be discussed in advance, and completion is not guaranteed.

Our goal is to maintain a neutral, supportive role focused solely on your child’s therapeutic needs.