How Do I Know Which Kind of Therapy Is Right for My Child? (And Meet Our New Specialist, Mary Gannon)
Just like there’s no “one perfect therapy” for adults, there isn’t a single right choice for every child.
The best therapeutic approach depends on your child’s temperament, the kind of support they need, your goals for their development, and how involved you’d like to be in the therapy process. At Ott Counseling, we believe parents deserve clear information about the approaches available—and children deserve therapy that honors their unique needs and strengths. Below is a parent-friendly overview of how relationships support child development, followed by an introduction to some of the most effective, evidence-based therapies that focus on connection, regulation, and emotional growth. We are also excited to announce that our newest staff therapist, Mary Gannon, M.Ed., LMSW, M.A., is now accepting new clients and specializes in each of these approaches.
The human brain is built for connection. Research shows that the brain grows and organizes through relationships (Siegel & Bryson, 2012; Perry & Pollard, 1998). For children to develop cognitive, social, language, emotional, and motor skills, they must feel safe—and that safety comes from attuned, supportive relationships (Perry & Pollard, 1998; Porges, 2015; Schore, 2001). When a child feels safe, their nervous system is open to learning, cooperating, exploring, and playing (Delahooke, 2017). In those moments, the brain forms new neural connections essential for growth (Siegel, 2010; Stern, 1995). Parents and caregivers are at the center of this process. Children look to them first to regulate emotions, make sense of experiences, and learn how to relate to others (Shahmoon-Shanok, 2000). Warm, responsive back-and-forth interactions—the foundation of secure attachment—help children develop trust, confidence, and emotional well-being (Siegel & Hartzell, 2014; Tronick, 2007). Many child therapies are built on this research, using relationship-based work to strengthen secure attachment and build lifelong resilience.
Theraplay® is an evidence-based, interactive therapy designed to strengthen attachment between children and caregivers. It focuses on four qualities found in healthy relationships: structure, nurture, engagement, and challenge. Sessions include playful, meaningful, guided activities that deepen connection and attunement. Children often experience increased feelings of safety, improved emotional regulation, stronger social engagement, and healthier self-esteem and confidence. More information is available at https://theraplay.org/what-is-theraplay/.
Nurture and Play (NaP) is another evidence-based, attachment-focused intervention that grew from Theraplay. It uses guided interactions, soothing activities, and reflective conversation to help parents tune into their child’s cues and respond sensitively. NaP helps parents and children strengthen reciprocal interactions, increase co-regulation and emotional connection, build early coping and self-regulation skills, and deepen bonding through attunement and responsiveness. More information is available at https://nurtureandplay.org/.
DIR®/Floortime® is a comprehensive, evidence-based framework that helps caregivers understand a child’s unique developmental profile. It assesses developmental level, individual differences (such as sensory or communication styles), and relationship patterns that support growth. Through playful, child-led interactions, caregivers learn to follow their child’s lead, expand engagement, support flexible thinking, and strengthen emotional development. More information is available at https://www.icdl.com/dir.
Each child—and each family—is different. Some children thrive with relational, playful therapies like Theraplay or Nurture and Play. Others benefit most from the developmental and sensory insights of DIR Floortime. The right therapy is the one that helps your child feel safe, understood, and supported while strengthening the relationship between you and your child.
We are thrilled to welcome Mary Gannon, M.Ed., LMSW, M.A., to Ott Counseling. Mary is a warm, authentic, highly trained clinician who specializes in the exact evidence-based methods described above—Theraplay, Nurture and Play, and DIR Floortime—as well as several additional child, family, and perinatal-focused therapies. Mary brings a rare blend of experience as a teacher, social worker, therapist, and parent. She believes in the power of connection and creates a safe, supportive space for children and families. Her work is grounded in empathy, inclusivity, collaboration, and authenticity. She supports infants and children, parents and caregivers, individuals considering parenthood, pregnant and postpartum individuals, and families navigating developmental, relational, or emotional challenges.
Mary holds advanced training, including completing her Ph.D. in Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health & Disorders with a DIR Floortime emphasis. She specializes in attachment-based therapies (Nurture and Play, Theraplay, DIR Floortime), parental and infant mental health, Child-Centered Play Therapy, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, CBT, DBT, and strengths-based, person-centered approaches. She brings a deep understanding of child development, sensory profiles, emotional needs, and parent–child relationships.
Mary’s schedule is now open for new clients, and we expect openings to fill quickly due to her specialized training and warm, relational style. If you're wondering which approach is best for your child—or if you feel your child would benefit from attachment-based or relationship-focused therapy—you can now schedule with Mary for an intake or consultation. Our team is here to help you and your child feel connected, supported, and understood.
