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Play Therapy in San Mateo & San Carlos

Play therapy invites healing through imagination, creativity, and connection. At Izzo Therapy in San Mateo and San Carlos, our licensed therapists use play-based interventions to help children express emotions, process life experiences, and build emotional resilience in a way that feels natural and safe.

Children don’t always have the words to explain how they feel—play becomes their language. Through toys, games, art, and storytelling, children discover new ways to understand themselves and communicate what words alone cannot.

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Play therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses developmentally appropriate play to support emotional growth and mental wellness. Guided by a licensed therapist, children explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a safe, nurturing, and non-judgmental space.

Play therapy can help reduce anxiety, improve mood, strengthen emotional regulation, and increase self-confidence. Whether your child is coping with stress, grief, behavioral challenges, trauma, or family changes, play therapy provides meaningful support for healing and growth.

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Play therapy supports children through all stages of development. It is especially helpful for children navigating:

  • Anxiety and excessive worry

  • Behavioral challenges at home or school

  • ADHD and emotional regulation

  • Trauma and stressful life events

  • Grief and loss

  • Divorce or family transitions

  • Social skills challenges

  • Low self-esteem or confidence struggles

Children often feel more comfortable expressing tough emotions through play instead of conversation alone. Play therapy allows them to explore their inner world in a way that feels natural and empowering.

Child Drawing Scene

Each play therapy session is guided by your child’s unique needs. Sessions may include movement, imaginative play, art, games, sand tray, and storytelling. Your child leads the process while the therapist supports emotional growth, coping skills, and problem-solving.

Parents are an important part of the healing journey. Depending on your child’s needs, sessions may include parent check-ins, parenting support, and tools you can use at home to reinforce emotional progress and behavioral growth.

Child Playing Toy

Each play therapy session is guided by your child’s unique needs. Sessions may include movement, imaginative play, art, games, sand tray, and storytelling. Your child leads the process while the therapist supports emotional growth, coping skills, and problem-solving.

Parents are an important part of the healing journey. Depending on your child’s needs, sessions may include parent check-ins, parenting support, and tools you can use at home to reinforce emotional progress and behavioral growth.

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If your child is struggling emotionally, behaviorally, or socially, early support can make a lifelong difference.

Izzo Therapy offers play therapy in San Mateo, San Carlos, and telehealth services throughout California.

Whether you’re seeking support for anxiety, behavioral challenges, ADHD, or family transitions, our team is here to help.

Reach out for support below.

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Goals

From first conversations to lasting change, Izzo Therapy has walked beside 29,679 clients in 2025, guiding families and individuals toward healing, connection, and growth.

Community

Each week, more than 800 families across the Bay Area turn to Izzo for mental health care they can count on. Whether it’s therapy for anxiety, parenting support, or co-parenting counseling, we’re here to help.

Local

We’re proud to be a local practice built by therapists who live and work in the communities we serve—from San Mateo to San Carlos and beyond.

Trust

At Izzo Therapy, inclusivity isn’t just a value—it’s a practice. Our clinicians reflect the diversity of our clients and provide culturally responsive therapy in both English and Spanish.

3130 La Selva Street, San Mateo, CA 94403

and 

10 El Camino Real, San Carlos, CA 94070

Monday - Friday: 8am - 8pm 

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© 2025  Anna Izzo, LMFT  #119172 

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