Melanie Huffman Child & Family Counselling

Melanie Huffman Child & Family Counselling Mom, Nurse, and Therapist who wishes I knew then what I know now.

I’m passionate about walking alongside children and families, using Child-Centered Play Therapy to nurture connection, confidence, and calmer homes.

Emotional regulation isn't about never getting upset.It's about learning what to do after those big feelings arrive.That...
08/13/2026

Emotional regulation isn't about never getting upset.
It's about learning what to do after those big feelings arrive.

That's a skill children build over time.....with support, patience, and practice.

About Melanie
Melanie Huffman, RN, Psychotherapist, and Certified Child-Centred Play Therapist (CCPT), provides evidence-based play therapy to help children build emotional resilience, confidence, and healthy relationships.

Children don't always tell us they're overwhelmed.Sometimes they show us.Through behaviour.Through play.Through silence....
08/11/2026

Children don't always tell us they're overwhelmed.
Sometimes they show us.
Through behaviour.
Through play.
Through silence.

Looking underneath the behaviour often tells us far more than the behaviour itself.

About Melanie
Melanie Huffman, RN, Psychotherapist, and Certified Child-Centred Play Therapist (CCPT), provides evidence-based play therapy to help children build emotional resilience, confidence, and healthy relationships.

Choosing a therapist for your child is personal.You're trusting someone to build a relationship with the person who matt...
07/28/2026

Choosing a therapist for your child is personal.

You're trusting someone to build a relationship with the person who matters most to you.
So here's a little about me.

I'm a Registered Nurse, Psychotherapist, and Certified Child-Centred Play Therapist (CCPT). I believe children communicate best through play, that connection comes before correction, and that every child deserves to feel seen, heard, and understood.

Outside the therapy room, you'll usually find me enjoying a good cup of coffee, spending time with my two dogs, painting, or listening to P!NK.

I believe that children do their best when they feel safe. My goal is to create a space where they can build confidence, process big feelings, and grow—one play session at a time.

If you've been wondering whether play therapy might be the right fit for your child, I'd love to help answer your questions.

💚 What helps your child feel safe with new people?
—
About Melanie
Melanie Huffman, RN, Psychotherapist, and Certified Child-Centred Play Therapist (CCPT), provides evidence-based play therapy to help children build emotional resilience, confidence, and healthy relationships.

07/27/2026

THIS is what I love about choosing to specialize so deeply in Child-Centered Play Therapy.

I’ve made the choice to be wholly committed to one therapeutic model in my work with children and families — and that commitment gives me tremendous confidence in the work I offer.

It means I won’t be the right therapist for every family, and I’m okay with that.

For me, building my practice isn’t about seeing the greatest number of clients. It’s about the quality and integrity of the service I provide, knowing my model deeply, trusting the process, and being able to confidently say: this is what I do, this is why I do it, and I believe deeply in this work. ❤️

Summer often brings later bedtimes, vacations, camps, and less predictable days.While flexibility is part of the fun, ch...
07/21/2026

Summer often brings later bedtimes, vacations, camps, and less predictable days.

While flexibility is part of the fun, children still benefit from a few consistent routines.

Simple anchors—like regular mealtimes, bedtime rituals, or a familiar morning routine—help children feel safe and secure, even when the rest of the day looks different.

Children don't need every moment scheduled. They simply benefit from knowing that some things stay the same.

💚 What routine helps your family feel grounded during the summer months?
—
About Melanie
Melanie Huffman, RN, Psychotherapist, and Certified Child-Centred Play Therapist (CCPT), uses evidence-based play therapy to help children and families navigate life's transitions with confidence.

The phrase "attention-seeking" often misses what's really happening.Many children aren't looking for attention—they're l...
07/13/2026

The phrase "attention-seeking" often misses what's really happening.

Many children aren't looking for attention—they're looking for connection.
When a child acts out, they're often communicating a need they don't yet have the words to express. They may be feeling lonely, overwhelmed, anxious, or disconnected.

Instead of asking, "How do I stop this behaviour?" try asking, "What might my child be needing right now?"

Looking beneath the behaviour can change the way we respond—and strengthen the relationship at the same time.

💚 Have you ever discovered there was more going on beneath your child's behaviour than you first realized?
—
About Melanie
Melanie Huffman, RN, Psychotherapist, and Certified Child-Centred Play Therapist (CCPT), supports children and families using evidence-based play therapy that focuses on the needs behind the behaviour.

When children are overwhelmed, they're not in a place to learn.Big emotions make it difficult to think clearly, solve pr...
07/07/2026

When children are overwhelmed, they're not in a place to learn.

Big emotions make it difficult to think clearly, solve problems, or respond to correction. That's why connection comes first.

A calm presence, a hug, or simply letting your child know you're there helps them feel safe enough to regulate their emotions. Once they feel understood, they're much more able to listen, learn, and move forward.

Connection doesn't replace boundaries. It creates the foundation that makes them more effective.

💚 What's one way you reconnect with your child after a tough moment?
—
About Melanie
Melanie Huffman, RN, Psychotherapist, and Certified Child-Centred Play Therapist (CCPT), helps children and families build stronger connections through evidence-based play therapy.

Your child's behaviour isn't always about the behaviour.Young children often don't have the words to explain frustration...
07/03/2026

Your child's behaviour isn't always about the behaviour.

Young children often don't have the words to explain frustration, worry, disappointment, or fear. Instead, those feelings often come out through play, movement, imagination, or challenging behaviour.

That doesn't mean they're "acting out." It often means they're communicating in the best way they know how.

Play creates a safe space for children to express emotions, work through experiences, and make sense of their world. Sometimes our role isn't to find the right words—it's simply to be present, stay curious, and let the play do some of the talking.

💚 What kinds of play do you notice your child returning to most often?
—
About Melanie
Melanie Huffman, RN, Psychotherapist, and Certified Child-Centred Play Therapist (CCPT), uses evidence-based play therapy to help children understand their emotions, build resilience, and strengthen family relationships.

Children don't always have the words to explain what they're feeling.Sometimes those feelings show up through play, imag...
06/25/2026

Children don't always have the words to explain what they're feeling.

Sometimes those feelings show up through play, imagination, stories, or even a favourite stuffed animal.

As a Child-Centered Play Therapist, I help children explore emotions, build confidence, develop coping skills, and process difficult experiences in a way that feels natural and safe.

Play is a child's language. My role is to listen.

Melanie Huffman, RN, Psychotherapist, CCPT

06/16/2026

Could your child use a seat at the table? ☕️

Reach out to learn more about play therapy.
www.melaniehuffman.com

Address

5-1315 Centennial Drive
Kingston, ON
K7P0K4

Opening Hours

Monday 12pm - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 12pm - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 12pm - 5pm

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