Child Therapy – Tools, Toys and Techniques With Paris Goodyear-Brown, Scott Riviere & Janine Shelby

Review of Child Therapy: Tools, Toys, and Techniques with Paris Goodyear-Brown, Scott Riviere, and Janine Shelby – Digital Download!

Child Therapy – Tools, Toys and Techniques With Paris Goodyear-Brown, Scott Riviere & Janine Shelby

Overview

Exploring Healing Through Child Therapy – Tools, Techniques, and Key Innovators

Child therapy serves as a vital refuge for young individuals contending with emotional or psychological struggles. This therapeutic process fosters a space where children can safely explore their feelings, develop coping mechanisms, and grow emotionally. At the heart of this approach is a dynamic toolkit of strategies, games, and symbolic objects, all designed to bridge communication gaps and gently guide children toward emotional insight. This review will spotlight the pioneering practices of renowned therapists Paris Goodyear-Brown, Scott Riviere, and Janine Shelby—each of whom contributes meaningfully to the evolution of modern child therapy.

Creating Safe Havens – The Core of Pediatric Counseling

Also known as child counseling or pediatric psychotherapy, child therapy is grounded in crafting nurturing settings where young clients feel emotionally protected. The essence of this process lies in establishing a strong therapeutic connection, one that builds mutual trust and offers genuine emotional support. Approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), play-based methods, and expressive arts serve as foundational modalities, helping children unpack challenges like anxiety, behavioral disruptions, and trauma. Research published in journals like the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry reinforces that child therapy does far more than address outward behavior—it nurtures self-confidence, emotional literacy, and interpersonal abilities.

Each method integrates developmentally suitable resources tailored to a child’s emotional maturity. Play therapy, for example, enables expression through toys and symbolic interactions, while art therapy invites children to externalize inner turmoil through creative outlets. These approaches underscore the value of child-centered communication styles and the use of metaphors that align with children’s worldviews, making complex feelings more accessible and understandable.

Therapeutic Tools That Empower Emotional Growth

Play Therapy Techniques
• Toys and Symbolic Games: Carefully chosen toys and games act as vehicles for self-expression. Children often reenact life situations using dolls or action figures, subconsciously revealing thoughts or anxieties they might struggle to articulate directly.
• Sand Tray Work: Through the use of miniature figures and sandboxes, children are invited to create metaphorical landscapes. These scenes often echo their emotional states, providing therapists with valuable insight into a child’s inner life.

Creative Expression Through Art
Art therapy emphasizes non-verbal communication, giving children a powerful outlet for emotions. Whether through painting, sketching, or crafting, the act of creating becomes a safe and meaningful expression of their psychological world—especially for children who find verbal discussion difficult.

Tools from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Therapeutic Journaling: Writing encourages reflection, allowing children to process their experiences and thoughts in a structured manner.
• Interactive Worksheets: These offer step-by-step strategies to handle difficult emotions, learn self-regulation, and develop healthier thinking patterns.

Literary Aids and Stories
Books focused on emotional themes help children relate to fictional characters, offering them new perspectives on their own challenges. Stories also spark conversations, often leading to profound personal insight.

Behavior Monitoring Tools
Behavioral tracking systems such as sticker or goal charts serve as visible rewards for progress. These tools not only motivate children but also provide a measurable structure for improvement, supporting consistency in therapeutic outcomes.

Family Engagement Techniques
Recognizing the family’s central role in healing, many therapists include parents in the therapeutic process. Sessions may involve collaborative exercises or communication training, reinforcing shared understanding and support at home.

Language That Resonates with Children

Using Developmentally Appropriate Language
Skilled therapists adjust their communication to match a child’s level of understanding, relying on concrete terms and everyday words. This clarity cultivates trust and ensures children feel heard rather than overwhelmed.

Metaphorical Thinking and Storytelling
Stories and symbols help children explore difficult emotions in imaginative ways. Narratives about animals or imaginary characters, for instance, often enable children to talk about fears or insecurities indirectly.

Empathetic Listening Techniques
Active listening—echoing and validating what children express—is vital in therapy. When children feel acknowledged, they are more likely to open up and engage fully in the healing process.

Encouraging Emotional Expression
Creating space for open-ended discussions allows children to express a wide range of emotions. These conversations often become key moments where children begin to understand their inner worlds and how to navigate them.

Paris Goodyear-Brown – Revolutionizing Play-Based Interventions

Paris Goodyear-Brown has emerged as a leading innovator in the field, particularly through her trauma-informed framework, TraumaPlay™. Her book Digging for Buried Treasure provides 52 detailed interventions that utilize props like magnifying glasses and marshmallows to stimulate emotional exploration in children. Her work spans areas such as anger, low self-worth, and relationship-building, offering practical solutions that therapists can readily apply.

Professional Education and Training
Goodyear-Brown also plays a pivotal role in therapist education, offering hands-on certification programs and workshops. These training sessions are designed to help professionals integrate her creative techniques, enhancing the depth and effectiveness of therapeutic interactions with young clients.

Insightful Contributions by Scott Riviere and Janine Shelby

Both Riviere and Shelby are acclaimed for their focus on trauma-informed therapy with children. Riviere, a pioneer in Louisiana’s therapeutic community, brings years of experience working with conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and loss. Shelby, known for her trauma research and global teaching efforts, complements this approach with a broader, international lens.

Training and Resource Development
Together, they have co-developed workshops and materials for clinicians that emphasize hands-on, child-friendly strategies. Their collaborative work highlights fun and imaginative ways to reach children who are otherwise resistant or withdrawn during therapy.

Visual Learning and Demonstrations
By incorporating videos, role-playing, and interactive resources, they provide tools that therapists can immediately apply. Their approach not only builds rapport with children but also encourages them to participate actively in their healing.

Further Exploration and Learning Resources

Books

• Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship – Kevin J. O’Connor

• The Therapeutic Powers of Play – Charles E. Schaefer & Heidi Gerald

Academic Publications

• Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry

• Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy: A Guide for the Public

Professional Associations

• American Psychological Association (APA)

• Association for Play Therapy (APT)

Workshops and Online Training
Courses covering diverse topics—from trauma treatment to expressive arts therapy—are regularly hosted by national and global mental health organizations.

Final Thoughts – A Brighter Tomorrow Through Child Therapy

Child therapy remains a powerful tool for helping young people navigate emotional adversity. Thanks to the trailblazing methods of leaders like Paris Goodyear-Brown, Scott Riviere, and Janine Shelby, the field continues to grow with creativity and compassion. By blending play, narrative, and emotional intelligence, therapists are creating spaces where children can develop resilience, discover self-worth, and achieve lasting healing. The horizon of child therapy is ever-expanding—carving new paths toward hope, connection, and psychological well-being for future generations.