Grief Therapy for Kids
Grief doesn't follow the rules. So how can your kid?
Grief therapy for children ages 5–12 in Washington and Montana.
DYLAN SPRADLIN, MA, MSW, LICSW, LCSW
Sometimes grief comes out sideways.
Your child might be angry over little things. Worried about everything. Clingy, withdrawn, or suddenly struggling with things that used to be easy.
They might start taking care of everyone else's feelings, as though there's no room for their own.
Or they might seem perfectly fine.
Maybe someone they love has died. Maybe their parents separated, their best friend moved away, or they started a new school where nothing feels familiar. Sometimes the loss is something they can't even name.
Kids don't always understand what's happening inside them, much less know how to explain it.
And they shouldn't have to figure it all out alone.
When words aren't enough, there's play.
Play is how kids make sense of their world. It's how they explore big feelings, try things out, and express what they can't quite put into words.
In play therapy, your child doesn't have to explain their grief, answer difficult questions, or even talk about what happened.
I follow their lead. Through play, children show me pieces of their world, sometimes with words, sometimes without. And we begin making sense of it together.
But can play therapy really happen on a screen?
Yes! And your child doesn't have to—and likely won't—sit still and talk to me for 50 minutes.
We might draw, build (if that's their thing), play games, sword fight, go on a scavenger hunt, have a dance party, or even head outside if the technology allows it.
Every child is different, especially when they're younger. During our free consultation, we'll talk about your child's age, developmental needs, and comfort with technology to decide whether virtual play therapy is a good fit.
Generally, whatever your child loves doing offline, we can find a way to do together in teleplay therapy.
And for you? No driving across town, rearranging your workday, or sitting in a waiting room. Your child gets to play in a familiar space, surrounded by their own things, while you get a little breathing room.
I adapt to your child, not the other way around.
Curious how online play therapy actually works? Find out here →
Parents are part of this, too.
When a child is grieving, the whole family feels it. And sometimes you're navigating your own grief while trying to help your child with theirs.
I'll work with you to understand what your child may be communicating through their behavior, find ways to support them at home, and make room for your questions and worries, too.
You don't have to have all the answers. We'll figure some of this out together.
You don't have to know what your child needs yet.
Maybe you're wondering whether what you're seeing is grief. Maybe you know it is, but you're not sure how to help.
We can start with a conversation.