PLAY THERAPY · AGES 3 TO 12 · ICBC FUNDED · CVAP FUNDED
Your child doesn’t need the right words. Play is how they speak.
When children are struggling, they rarely say so directly. Play therapy gives them a way to express what they’re carrying, safely and at their own pace, while you get the support and understanding to help them at home.
ICBC & CVAP funded for children · We direct bill both · You pay nothing
You know something has shifted. You just can’t quite name it.
Maybe your child has become withdrawn, more intense, or acting out in ways that feel out of character. Maybe something has happened and you’re watching them try to process it in the only way they know how. You’ve tried talking. But something still isn’t landing.
That’s not a failure on your part. Young children simply don’t have the emotional vocabulary adults do. And the reason goes deeper than instinct: play activates the same neural pathways used to process emotion and memory. Because it bypasses the need for verbal language, children can work through experiences they cannot yet reach with words. Play is not just how children have fun. It is how their brains are wired to heal.
“Children don’t need to explain their pain to process it. In the playroom, they show us what they can’t yet say.”
— The experience our therapists witness every day
Why You Might Be Here
What parents often notice before they reach out
There's rarely one clear moment. More often, it's a pattern of small things that, together, tell you something needs attention.
ICBC AND CVAP FUNDED
Did you know your child's sessions may be fully covered?
If your child was involved in a motor vehicle accident or has been affected by a crime, their play therapy sessions may be funded through ICBC or CVAP at no cost to you. Aasra Wellness is one of the few clinics in BC offering ICBC and CVAP funded play therapy specifically for children. We direct bill both programs on your behalf. You pay nothing and there are no additional fees. Contact us and we will confirm your child's coverage before their first session.
Play therapy is a clinically evidenced-based approach for children aged 3 to 12 that can be adapted for teens. It’s not about playing games. It’s about giving children a space where they feel safe enough to express, explore and begin to make sense of their experiences.
Anxiety And Worry
Excessive fears, separation anxiety, sleep disruption, physical complaints with no clear medical cause, or a child who seems constantly on edge.
Behavioural Changes
Increased aggression, regression to younger behaviours, shutting down, or reacting in ways that feel disproportionate to what’s happening.
Family Breakdown Or Divorce
Signs of confusion, grief, guilt or loyalty conflicts your child doesn’t yet have the language to express.
Trauma Or Difficult Experiences
Witnessing something frightening, experiencing abuse, or going through a medical procedure or accident. Trauma in children often looks like behaviour, not distress.
Progress happens at your child’s pace
No rushing, no pressure to perform or open up. Children are remarkably resilient when given the right conditions. The therapist’s role is to create those conditions and trust the process.
School And Social Difficulties
Refusing school, difficulty with friendships, or a child who seems fine at home but is really struggling once they’re out the door.
How Therapy at Aasra Wellness Helps
What happens in a session, and why it works
Play therapy is a structured therapeutic relationship where play becomes the language of healing. A typical session lasts 50 minutes. Your child enters the playroom while you wait nearby, surrounded by sand trays, art supplies, puppets, dolls and creative tools. From the moment they walk in, they are in charge. No instructions, no tasks, nothing to get right. Most parents are surprised by how quickly their child settles in.
Resources that support these findings
Bratton et al. (2005)
Meta-analysis of 93 controlled studies. Effect size: 0.80
Jensen, Biesen & Graham (2017)
Meta-analysis of 100 studies. Moderate effect size: 0.44
LeBlanc & Ritchie (2001)
Meta-analysis of 42 studies. Effect size: 0.66
Parker, Hollenbaugh & Kelly (2021)
Meta-analysis of 23 CCPT studies for behavioral problems. Effect size: 0.48
Chase (2022)
50 minutes: Typical session length · Child-led: No tasks, no right answers · Parent-involved: You are part of the process
50 minutes: Typical session length
Child-led: No tasks, no right answers
Parent-involved: You are part of the process
Your child leads. The therapist follows.
Sessions are initially non-directive. Your child chooses what to play. That sense of control is itself therapeutic — particularly for children who have experienced situations where they had none. Sand trays, art, and figures give children a way to externalise what's happening inside.
You are an active part of your child's progress.
Your therapist keeps you informed of themes arising in sessions and offers guidance on how to respond at home. Progress happens at your child's pace — no rushing, no pressure to perform or open up. The therapist's role is to create the right conditions and trust the process.
Parenting support alongside sessions
Dedicated parenting support is available throughout. If your child was in a motor vehicle accident or affected by a violent crime, their sessions may be fully funded through ICBC or CVAP. Aasra Wellness is one of the few clinics in BC providing this. We handle everything.
Client Reflections
Could ICBC or CVAP cover the full cost of your child's sessions?
Your child's therapy may cost you nothing. Book a consult to find out.
Play therapy works. The research is clear.
Over 100 studies consistently show that children in play therapy experience measurable improvements in behaviour, emotional regulation, and social skills compared to those who don't receive it.
A landmark meta-analysis of 93 controlled studies found statistically significant improvements in children's emotional and behavioural difficulties. Another analysis of 100 studies confirmed moderate positive effects across behaviour, emotion, and social outcomes. Research specifically on children with disruptive behaviour showed significant functional improvements, and studies examining anxiety, aggression, depression, and social withdrawal all point to the same conclusion: play therapy works.
The effect is even stronger when parents are involved in the process.
Children who go through play therapy don’t come out “fixed.” They come out more themselves. With more capacity to handle what life brings, more trust in the adults around them, and a stronger sense of who they are.
Resources that support these findings
Bratton et al. (2005)
Meta-analysis of 93 controlled studies. Effect size: 0.80
Jensen, Biesen & Graham (2017)
Meta-analysis of 100 studies. Moderate effect size: 0.44
LeBlanc & Ritchie (2001)
Meta-analysis of 42 studies. Effect size: 0.66
Parker, Hollenbaugh & Kelly (2021)
Meta-analysis of 23 CCPT studies for behavioral problems. Effect size: 0.48
Chase (2022)
The Outcome
Positive outcomes May include
Calmer, more regulated behaviour
Better emotional expression
Reduced anxiety
Improved confidence
Stronger sense of self
Contact Us
Book a Free 15-Minute Call
Confidential · No referral needed · ICBC funded for children · CVAP funded for children · Online and in-person sessions available
No commitment. No referral needed. Just a conversation to understand your situation and help you decide if it's the right fit.
We'll be in touch within one business day.
Questions
Things parents often want to know first
My child witnessed or was affected by a crime. Are they covered under CVAP too?
Yes. Children who have witnessed a crime, been directly affected by one, or are immediate family members of a victim are eligible for CVAP-funded counselling in BC. This includes children who may not fully understand what happened but are showing signs of distress, behavioural changes, nightmares, withdrawal, or difficulty at school in the aftermath. Aasara Wellness is one of the few clinics that provides CVAP-funded counselling specifically designed for children, using play therapy and trauma-informed approaches that meet children where they are rather than requiring them to talk through what they experienced. Your child does not need to be able to articulate what they are feeling for the work to be effective. And just as with adult CVAP sessions, we direct bill on your behalf. There is no cost to you at any point.
My child was in a car accident. Are they covered for ICBC counselling too?
Yes, and this is something many parents do not realise. Children who were present in or affected by a motor vehicle accident are eligible for ICBC-funded counselling, just as adults are. Aasara Wellness is one of the few clinics in BC that provides ICBC-covered counselling specifically for children following an accident. Whether your child was physically injured, witnessed the collision, or has been showing changes in behaviour, mood or sleep since the accident, they deserve proper support. We offer trauma-informed, child-appropriate counselling that is fully covered through ICBC. You pay nothing. Contact us and we will confirm your child's coverage before their first session.
My child won’t talk about what’s bothering them. Will therapy even help?
That’s exactly what play therapy is designed for. Children don’t need to talk to benefit. The therapeutic work happens through play, which is natural and non-threatening. Many of the children who benefit most are those who struggle to verbalise their feelings.
How will I know if it’s working if I’m not in the room?
Your therapist will meet with you regularly either at the start or near the end of a session to share what themes are arising and help you understand how to support progress at home. You’ll also see shifts over time in your child’s behaviour and emotional wellbeing. Progress isn’t always linear, but it becomes visible. We work with your child’s comfort level of being in the therapeutic space. If a child feels more comfortable with the parent attending the session with them, we will incorporate parents into the therapeutic play, as we can also provide Filial Play Therapy.
Do I need a referral from our GP or school?
No referral is needed. You can contact us directly. If your child’s school or GP has already raised concerns, that information is helpful context, but not a requirement to begin.
How long will my child need to attend?
This depends on what your child is working through and how they respond. Some show meaningful progress within 8 to 12 sessions. Others benefit from longer term support. Your therapist will review progress with you regularly and there is no pressure to continue beyond what feels right for your family.
What if my child doesn’t want to come?
Reluctance is very normal at first. Our therapists are experienced in working with children who are uncertain or hesitant to engage. Most children who start hesitantly begin to look forward to their sessions once they understand that therapy is simply a place to play and be themselves with no tests, no wrong answers and no pressure.
Can play therapy help if my child experienced something traumatic?
Yes. Play therapy is one of the most well-evidenced approaches for children who have experienced trauma. Because it doesn’t require children to speak directly about what happened, the therapeutic process unfolds without retraumatisation. Your therapist is trained to work sensitively with trauma responses in young children.
What does a session cost, and is funding available?
Same fees for all counselling services (except for CVAP/ICBC): $150 per session.
From first contact to first session.
Simple, no-pressure steps. Most families have their first session within a week of reaching out.
Book a free 15-min call
2
We confirm your child's coverage
3
Book the first session
4
Your child begins at their own pace
Your child doesn’t have
to find the words.
We meet them where they are. A free 15-minute call to ask questions, understand whether play therapy is the right fit, and take the next step at your own pace.
Confidential · No referral needed · ICBC funded for children · CVAP funded for children · Online and in-person sessions available
