Shiver Therapy

My favorite words to hear my kids say ~ “I’m bored.” Boredom=creativity. 🤩

I bought a new set of mason jars last weekend because it’s all I drink out of. But it was getting confusing whose jar was whose. We had some acrylics and went to work. Fun memory. Fun jars! Love my kids. 💖💖

=creativity

The best way to help kids manage first-day nerves is by practicing simple calming strategies together before they walk through the school doors! 🎒✨

When we teach our children how to regulate their emotions, we give them tools they can use anywhere, anytime feelings start to get big. Here are 3 simple techniques to practice with your kids before the big day:

1. Deep Breathing (The Slow Out-Breath)

Teach your child to take a deep breath in through their nose (belly rising like a balloon), then exhale slowly through their mouth like blowing out a candle. Prolonged, slow exhalations signal the nervous system to settle and calm down. Practice with a 🎈 

2. The 3-3-3 Mindfulness Game

When anxiety spikes, ground them back into the present moment by asking them to name:

* 3 things they can see (e.g., a blue backpack, a clock, a tree outside)

* 3 things they can hear (e.g., birds, footsteps, a door closing)

* 3 ways they can move their body (e.g., wiggle their toes, stretch their arms, roll their shoulders)

3. Positive Reframing

Help your kids shift their mindset from “What if something goes wrong?” to “What if something goes right?” Practice swapping nervous thoughts like “I won’t know anyone” with empowering alternatives like “I might meet a new friend today!”

Practicing these small steps at home builds big confidence for the classroom! 💛

The first day of school sets the pattern for the whole year! As a therapist and mom of 4, I know it can be a challenge! When we show our kids that we believe they will be okay, it gives them the confidence to step into their new classrooms with courage. 🏫

Here are 4 simple ways to set your child up for success on the first day:

1. Set the tone with calm and encouragement. Kids pick up on our energy! A steady, positive morning routine shows them there’s nothing to fear. ✨�
2. Keep goodbyes short and positive. A quick hug, a loving phrase, and a cheerful wave signal that you are confident in their safety and independence.👋💖�
3. Avoid sneaking away. Slipping out unseen can cause anxiety later. Always give a clear, loving goodbye so they trust you’ll be back. ✨�
4. Plan something fun for after school. Give them something sweet to look forward to—like an ice cream run, a park visit, or their favorite snack waiting at home! 🍦 �
Wishing all the students and parents a smooth, happy first day back! 🍎✨

A few updates at Shiver Therapy! I added my sand tray this month! It’s been amazing, helping many clients to unlock difficult things! ✨

💥 **CAPES ON, CONFIDENCE UP!** 💥

We just wrapped up an incredible four days at Confidence Camp! 🦸‍♂️🦸‍♀️ Through hands-on crafts, games, and deep social-emotional learning, our campers built tools to discover their inner superpowers.

Here’s a look back at our epic 4-day adventure:

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* 🎭 Day 1: Superheroes Have Feelings Too– We explored big emotions, designed superhero personas, unmasked the “villains” that make life tough, and started our Superhero Toolkits.

* 🛡️ Day 2: Superheroes Have Mighty Mindsets– We created “Shields of Protection” featuring our strengths and support teams. Then, we played the Shield Challenge—crumpling up hard things and blocking them with positive affirmations!

* 🌱 Day 3: Superheroes Grow with Mistakes– We embraced the Power of YET, crafted affirmation Power Bands, created clay art and made mistakes then fixed them, and turned “magnificent mistakes” into our Mistakes Museum.

* 💎 Day 4: Superheroes Ready To Fly!We customized capes covered in our strengths and masks that block negative mindsets. We wrapped up with an emotional-awareness treasure hunt and shared our big takeaways on cartoon POW papers!

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🧰 The Superhero Toolkit & Bibliotherapy 📚

Every camper went home with a regulation toolkit including an ice cube squishy, a maze game to slow down, a breathing balloon, and a “YETi” noodle! We also integrated bibliotherapy all week long, using powerful children’s books to help campers see their own emotional journeys reflected in stories. 📖✨

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💡 *Note: To protect confidentiality, no children’s work is represented in this video. All examples shown were created by our therapists or interns!*

> “I can’t do it... **YET!**” 💖 We are so incredibly proud of our resilient campers!

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We have a few spots left! Sign up today! 🌟🎉

Ever feel like the biggest things you’re processing don’t actually have words? 🛋️✨

I spent this past weekend diving deep into an incredible training on Sand Tray Play Therapy and I am so excited to bring more of this powerful modality to the practice!

Our deepest emotions and stressors are often stored where talk therapy can’t easily reach. When a client—child, teen, or adult—steps up to the tray, they use miniatures to build a 3D picture of their inner world.

Why it works:

✨No words needed:You don’t have to explain your overwhelm; you can just show it.
✨Safe distance: Looking at a problem in the sand makes it manageable to explore, shift, and heal.
✨Deep processing: The sensory act of moving sand helps unlock and resolve subconscious stress.

Healing doesn’t always happen in a straight line, and it doesn’t always require a speech. Sometimes, it just takes a tray of sand. ⏳🌱

Play room things! ☀️ 🤩 🌈

It’s a busy week at Shiver Therapy! 🎉

“Play is the child’s symbolic language of self-expression and can reveal (a) what the child has experienced; (b) reactions to what was experienced; (c) feelings about what was experienced; (d) what the child wishes, wants, or needs; and (e) the child’s perception of self.”
Garry L. Landreth, Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship