Create Play Grow Therapy Services

06/18/2026

We had a birthday at our house this week! We celebrated our oldest little boy turning 5 with a balloon arch, nature find of this awesome Polyphemus moth caterpillar that is now cocooning in our observation jar! (So cool!!), bowling (thanks for the idea), playground play, and of course time with family and friends, sweet treats, and presents.

The highlight gift/ experience seemed to be kites! It was the perfectly windy day for my son’s first kite flying experience. Are birthdays a bid deal in your house?

06/15/2026

This Budding Artists’ Journey Stick class was so much fun! All the 3 year olds and their caregivers foraged nature items then wove them onto their journey sticks. No two were alike! I love seeing what everyone comes up with and creates in these classes! The kids also really loved the chance to practice their scissor skills! If you took this class, show us where your journey stick is now!

06/08/2026

Rare openings! Had a few clients schedules change for summer. Feel free to email me if you're looking for mental health support using creative techniques like art therapy, play therapy, and gardening therapy! View my website for more info.

Create.Play.Grow.Therapy is a private practicing therapist providing therapy through art, play and gardening for adults and kids in the St. Louis City area.

05/18/2026

So proud of my clients who created pieces to include in the annual ARTSY show. It’s always so fun to see pieces installed on a wall in a gallery setting. The opening was well attended and I was touched by many of the artists’ statements explaining how art therapy has been so helpful and meaningful to the participating youth.
ARTSY stands for Arts in Residential and Therapeutic Settings with Youth and was established in 1997. This show marked the 28th Anniversary of ARTSY. Various agencies and practices throughout the MO and IL area participate every year in this show.
The work is on view at the for the month of May on Saturdays from 12pm-4pm.
🌈🖍️📝

05/08/2026

Trauma-Informed Insight Series:
Felt Safety: More Than Being Safe

Felt safety means a child’s brain believes, “I am safe here.”

Steady adults, predictable routines, and trusted relationships help students move from survival mode to learning mode.

04/30/2026

Earth Day recap! Thanks for all who came out and painted leaves with us. It was a beautiful day of creating in community.

04/29/2026

Free Summer Camp for 5-8 year olds! Just released from due to needing to repair Julia Davis library’s tornado damage. This will be a super fun camp with lots of creative exploration, regulation, and a dash of art history.
Sign up and tell a friend! Link in stories or search STLPL summer camps!

04/28/2026

This garden at .pear.nature.school is thriving! The kids have been tasting and cutting radishes straight from the ground, snacking on parsley and spinach and eagerly awaiting peas! Not sure who’s getting more joy from it, them or me!
If you have a preschool or daycare and want to incorporate gardening into your curriculum, I’d love to chat! There are so many ways to do it and so many benefits! I tied this into an SEL lesson. I’ll be rolling out that curriculum next fall. Stay tuned or DM me with questions!