Creating a shared culture & language of play within families.

Play is one of the most profound & effective ways you can relate to your child.

Think of it as a gateway into their world—a language through which you can meet them on their terms and subtly teach them how to relate to this wacky reality of ours. Play can be used proactively to help children improve…

emotional regulation

focus &
attention

creativity &
self-expression

self-confidence

speech &
articulation

cognitive &
emotional flexibility

Hi there!
I’m Stephen.

I've been a pediatric play therapist, teacher, coach and caregiver for more than a decade.

Despite (or maybe because of) a challenging childhood, I realized early on that I was really good with kids. There's something inherently meaningful to me about learning how to listen to what children are trying to communicate in their own quirky ways.

Through my work with children, both on and off the spectrum, I discovered the power of play as a pragmatic method for creating change not just within children but within families.

I'm passionate about helping kids find their unique voice and about supporting parents as they learn how to nurture and shape that voice. Whether you're looking for some extra support navigating the challenging years of early childhood, dealing with a developmental diagnosis or just want some guidance on how to raise resilient, confident and mindful kids while maintaining your sanity, I'm here to help.

My Approach to Play Is…

Child-Led

A child-led approach to play is the most optimal way to connect and teach a child. We can let go of our expectations and watch the magic unfold during intentional and regular play sessions. It will be a meditation for you and fertilizer for your child’s development.

Multi-Layered

Once we become aware of all the layers taking place beneath whatever is actually happening, we can transform any situation into a learning opportunity. Leveraging play is all about maximizing those little opportunities to promote a positive trajectory.

My Services

I specialize in supporting children aged two through early teens. To learn more about how we can work together, I offer a free 30-minute exploratory call.

Coaching for Parents.

Are you a parent motivated to experiment with new ways to interact with and cultivate your child's inner voice? Would you like to learn how to get off the carousel of volatile tantrums or escalating power struggles? I offer virtual sessions to help you learn about and incorporate play into your family culture as well as reducing tantrum intensity and frequency. It’s really simple and I can show you how. Package discounts are available.

Play Program for Kids.

Looking for more hands-on support? Programs start at 4 weeks and include 1 consulting call per week, unlimited texting, and up to 4 hours of in-person play time with your child(ren). In the past, I’ve taught music, swimming, bike riding, rock climbing, winter sports and skateboarding to name a few. Any room in the house, when paired with playful, focused intention can become a transformative space for you and your family. I’m here to help you learn how.

  • "Stephen has a natural ability to connect with children on a deep, genuine level while also guiding parents through some of the more challenging aspects of parenthood. Both my preschooler and toddler immediately warmed to him, and he left a lasting impression. His practical advice on calmly managing tantrums has been invaluable and easy to implement. My children often talk about their time with Stephen with enthusiasm and positivity."

    — Christy, Parent

  • "Stephen was definitely our guiding light during a particularly tough time with my kindergartner and pre schooler. My kids took to him immediately as he instilled trust and an understanding of their development. For myself, our calls and visits helped me develop a toolbox of ideas to break out when I most need them. It was very therapeutic and valuable to talk through incidents, brainstorming different tactics I could employ. I feel very grateful to have used his services and feel much more confident in handling tantrums and other behavioral issues."

    — Tam, Parent

  • "I’ve worked in behavioral health for 16 years and directly with Stephen for 7 years of those years. He’s one of the most capable people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. Immensely patient and knowledgeable he’s always my go-to guy when brainstorming ideas on how to help the incredible kids we get to work alongside. He has a talent for identifying the root cause of many difficult behaviors and developing effective support strategies for both caregivers and kids that are workable in everyday life. As I’ve transitioned personally into parenthood, Stephen is still someone I seek out to collaborate with on challenges with my own kids."

    — Ana, Colleague

  • “We had the good luck to meet Stephen when he first came to the area. We have a nine-year-old autistic son with global delay. Stephen taught our son to ride a bike, ski, skateboard, swim, and rock climb. They would play music, go sledding and build marble runs and legos. He is a special individual with a unique talent for connecting with children. My son never smiled so big as when Stephen walked through the door. We give Stephen our highest recommendation.”

    — Chris, Parent

90% of play is about mindset, but here are a few tips you can try out today!

  • Especially for little ones, silliness is a staple for effective playing. They can’t get enough of it. Get outside of your comfort zone and be extra silly when joining their world.

  • Being on the floor with your child can shift the way we play in remarkable ways. It’s also very effective when our kiddos are having a tough time. 

  • Rather than pressuring a child or trying to dictate their behavior in whatever ways we wish, try modeling the behavior you'd like them to imitate and detaching from any expectations of the outcome. Offering choices and accompanying children as they navigate their options can be an effective way to guide them towards better reasoning and decision-making. 

  • Our kids have developing brains that need more time to process information. Slowing down can help them process what we’re saying and doing more effectively. Slowing down helps you also!

The love language of children is play.

Let’s learn how to speak it together.