Through young children’s play and artwork, we can gain access to family conflicts less accessible though verbal communication. Children’s play contains metaphors for how they view themselves and significant relationships in their families.   Some children, who have been traumatized or who have experienced painful losses, may have emotional scars that haunt them for the rest of their lives. Other children have demonstrated resilience in coping with trauma.  We now know that the effects of trauma can be addressed through therapeutic play.   Therapy with children and adolescents seeks to help children develop protective factors to empower them to become masters of their own lives. Play therapy gives them room to convey an optimistic attitude, capitalize on their competency and give them room to tell their painful stories.   Because the parents are the experts regarding their children’s behavior, Patrick seeks to uncover the past successes that parents have had at resolving other behavioral difficulties as a model for present and future success.   As a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor by the International Association for Play Therapy, Inc., Patrick has trained other therapists in the techniques of play therapy. The therapy setting is rich with architectural structures, over 4000 figurines and numerous therapeutic games. Play therapy is used to assess emotional difficulty, diagnosis the root of psychological problems and provide strategies for changing behavior. The environment is child friendly with a two-way mirror system, where parents can observe the therapy, unseen by their children.   As a Licensed Professional Educator, Patrick has 17 years of teaching experience which helps to support his success in working with adolescents. These years can be perplexing for youth with raging hormones, peer pressure and school demands. Parents may be frustrated to have poor interactions with teens. These youth may have been previously compliant or easy to communicate with. Now, it may appear that their personality has changed and they seem more like strangers. Don’t lose hope! Let Patrick help you find a way to balance parental expectations with teen independence.   There are effective ways to get through to your child!