Play Therapy in Edina for Children Who Struggle to Put Feelings Into Words
Families near Cornelia and Normandale look for child therapy that meets kids where they are, not where adults expect them to be. This page covers what play therapy is, who it helps, and how to get started at a licensed mental health clinic. Cabot Psychological Services has been open since 2010, accepts major insurance plans, and offers in-person sessions with credentialed clinicians who provide evidence-based child therapy.
For parents' own relationship, our Edina clinic also has a marriage counselor on staff.
What Play Therapy Does for Young Children in Edina
Play therapy gives children a way to express big feelings without needing words. A licensed therapist watches themes, fears, and strengths emerge through play rather than conversation. A six-year-old who can’t tell you why she’s scared will often show you, if you know how to look. Edina Public Schools is academically competitive, and school-related anxiety can show up early, even in young children. Play therapy addresses that pressure before it grows into something harder to treat. Our child psychology services cover anxiety, behavioral changes, family transitions, grief, and social withdrawal, with parent-child conflict resolution available alongside individual child sessions.
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Play Therapy
Parents in Southdale and Cornelia sometimes wonder whether a child’s behavior is a phase or something that needs professional support. From inside the situation, that distinction is genuinely difficult to call. These signs point toward a clinical evaluation rather than waiting it out:
- Frequent meltdowns that seem out of proportion to the situation
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Pulling away from friends or avoiding play
- Refusing to go to school
- Regressing to behaviors they had outgrown
Minnesota winters run from November through March with limited daylight hours, and that isolation can make mood changes in children more pronounced. We see this pattern every year. Childhood anxiety treatment, childhood OCD treatment, and behavioral therapy for kids are all available at our Edina clinic — conditions that the National Institute of Mental Health covers in its child and adolescent mental health resources.
How a Play Therapy Session Works at Our Edina Clinic
Play therapy at Cabot Psychological Services begins before your child ever enters the room. The process starts with a parent consultation to gather background and set goals. Your child then meets the therapist in a low-pressure, non-judgmental setting, and the therapist works with your child using approaches suited to their age and presenting concerns. Parents stay informed through regular communication with the clinician throughout.
Your child doesn’t need to perform or have the right answers. There’s no script. The specific structure of each session, including how and when parents are involved, is determined by the clinician based on your child’s needs and the therapeutic approach being used. Families across the southwest metro can attend in person at our Edina or Minneapolis location, and telehealth is also available for sessions that can’t happen on-site.
Licensed Therapists Who Provide Child Play Therapy in Edina
Cabot Psychological Services is a clinician-led practice, not an investor-owned group, and has been operating since 2010. Amanda Mulfinger, PhD, LP (Minnesota License #LP5029) is the owner and a PhD-level licensed psychologist. The broader team includes licensed clinical social workers and licensed marriage and family therapists, giving the practice a range of credentials that’s rare for a single outpatient clinic. Families who come to our Edina office work with a named, licensed provider who stays with them across sessions. That continuity is built into how the work moves forward, not an afterthought.
Insurance Coverage for Play Therapy at Our Edina Mental Health Clinic
Cabot Psychological Services accepts 10 major insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, HealthPartners, Medicare, and Medicaid. For parents with employer-sponsored coverage through large Twin Cities employers like UnitedHealth Group, Medtronic, or Target, that broad panel means fewer obstacles between your child and a first appointment. Accepting this range of plans is a credential-level distinction for a private psychology practice, and it matters in a community where parents expect insurance to work without friction. Contact our intake team to verify your child’s mental health benefits before the first session — it’s a straightforward step and worth doing early.
How to Start Play Therapy for Your Child in Edina
Starting play therapy at our Edina clinic is straightforward. You call or contact us directly, complete the intake form, and we schedule a parent consultation first. Your child’s first session is booked after that conversation, and an ongoing schedule is established based on your child’s needs and the clinician’s recommendations.
Many Edina families arrive through a referral from a physician, school counselor, or another family. Our intake process handles both referrals and self-referrals, you don’t need a formal referral letter to get started. If attending in person isn’t possible, HIPAA-compliant telehealth sessions are available statewide in Minnesota so a schedule conflict doesn’t become a reason to delay.
Frequently Asked Questions About Play Therapy in Edina
What age of children is play therapy designed for in Edina?
Play therapy is generally used with younger children who are still developing the verbal skills to describe their emotions clearly. Older teens are often better served by individual talk therapy. Our clinical team can advise you on the right fit during the intake conversation, because it isn’t always obvious from the outside and that assessment is part of what the consultation covers.
How many play therapy sessions does a child usually need?
The number of play therapy sessions varies by child and by the concern being addressed. A therapist sets goals after the intake meeting, and progress is assessed on an ongoing basis. The schedule adjusts as your child’s needs change, and your therapist will discuss realistic expectations during the intake conversation.
Does my insurance cover play therapy at your Edina clinic?
Cabot Psychological Services accepts BCBS, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, HealthPartners, Medicare, and Medicaid, which is an unusually broad panel for a private practice. Parents should verify their child’s specific mental health benefits during the intake process. Our team can walk you through that step before the first appointment is booked.
Do I stay in the room during my child's play therapy session?
Whether and how parents participate in sessions depends on the specific therapeutic approach the clinician uses and your child’s individual needs. That will be explained clearly at intake. Parents are kept informed through regular communication with their child’s therapist throughout the course of treatment.
Can play therapy help a child dealing with divorce or a family change?
Play therapy can be a useful approach for helping a child process a family transition like divorce, a move, or a change in household structure. Cabot Psychological Services also offers parent-child conflict resolution, co-parenting counseling, and family therapy as complementary services. Edina families dealing with major life changes often combine more than one of these options, and we can help you think through what makes sense for your situation.
Is play therapy available through telehealth for Edina families?
HIPAA-compliant telehealth sessions are available statewide in Minnesota alongside in-person sessions at the Edina location. For very young children, your clinician will discuss which session format is most appropriate given your child’s age and presenting concerns. Families choose the format on a session-by-session basis.
Our Insurance Partners
We accept most major insurance plans to make care accessible
Cabot Clients Say
"Sessions with Amanda are empowering."
Sessions with Amanda are empowering. She is a deeply kind therapist who has helped me to process, heal, and develop as a person.
"I have been a client of Cabot since the inception in 2010"
I have been a client of Cabot since the inception in 2010; my experience with the therapists and administrative staff have always been positive. I trust them and have referred both family and friends to Cabot and all have come back thanking me for the referral and have benefited from the caring and compassionate work of the Cabot staff.
"Cabot provides a welcoming and safe environment"
Cabot provides a welcoming and safe environment for those who may be struggling or need additional support. Each time I come for an appointment I am welcomed with a smile and hello not only from my therapist but others who pass through the waiting room.
REACH OUT TO START YOUR HEALING JOURNEY TODAY
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WE PROUDLY PARTNER WITH MANY MAJOR INSURANCE PROVIDERS, INCLUDING COMMERCIAL AND MEDICAID