The Therapeutic Powers of Play Therapy: How It Heals Emotional Wounds in Children
Play therapy is more than just play—it’s a powerful, research-backed approach that helps children process emotions, heal from trauma, and build resilience. In this article, Dr. Ernie Reilly explains how therapeutic play allows children to express what they often cannot put into words. From art and sandplay to role-playing techniques, these methods create a safe space for emotional healing and growth. You’ll also learn the common emotional challenges children face and how play therapy addresses them effectively. If your child is struggling with anxiety, behavioral issues, or past trauma, this guide offers clarity, hope, and practical next steps.
10 Simple Holiday Habits to Protect Your Family’s Mental Health This Month
The holiday season can overwhelm even the most organized families—school events, late nights, sugar highs, big emotions, grief, and pressure to “make it magical.” This guide from Dr. Ernie Reilly breaks down 10 simple, realistic habits that protect your family’s mental health during December. Learn how to reduce stress, strengthen connection, support kids’ emotions, share the mental load, set gentle boundaries, and recognize when professional help can make all the difference. These practical, evidence-based habits help your home feel calmer, more connected, and more grounded—so you can experience the season with more peace and far less pressure.
Just in Time for the Holidays: Your Guide to Peace, Joy, and Sanity This Season
Holidays don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. This practical, therapist-backed guide from The Counseling Corner covers stress relief, kid and teen regulation, coming home from college, grief and depression, substance-use safeguards, and couple communication—plus quick scripts and calming tactics you can use the same day. Whether you’re hosting, traveling, or laying low, you’ll find small moves that protect your peace, strengthen connection, and bring back joy from Thanksgiving through New Year’s.
Understanding Your Child’s Big Feelings: Play Therapy and Helping Kids Regulate Emotions
Kids don’t melt down to be difficult—their brains are still wiring for self-control. This parent guide explains the science behind big feelings, why co-regulation works, and how play therapy teaches kids to name emotions, calm their bodies, and problem-solve through toys, stories, and imagination. You’ll get simple at-home strategies (balloon breaths, calm corners, emotion charades), signs it’s time to seek help, and hope from real-life examples. Written by Orlando child therapists at The Counseling Corner.
Play Therapy and Child Counseling in Orlando: A Complete Guide for Parents
When children struggle to express emotions, play becomes their language. This guide explains how play therapy and child counseling in Orlando help kids process anxiety, anger, grief, and behavioral challenges through creativity and connection. Discover how sessions work, what parents can expect, and how early support can help your child thrive emotionally and socially.
How Can I Calm Anxiety? The Science Behind Anxiety and Understanding How to Calm Your Mind
Anxiety isn’t just “in your head”—it’s tied to brain circuits, sleep, lifestyle, and even gut health. This guide explores how caffeine and alcohol impact symptoms, when to seek professional help, and red flags to watch for. Learn about early intervention, evidence-based treatments, and the latest research on inflammation, the gut-brain axis, and personalized care. Discover practical tools and resources to calm your mind, build resilience, and take back control of your well-being.
Navigating the Back-to-School Transition: Strategies for Children with ADHD
Help your child with ADHD thrive this school year with proven back-to-school strategies from an experienced Orlando counselor. Discover practical tips for improving focus, reducing distractions, building routines, and fostering confidence—both in the classroom and at home.
Understanding Separation Anxiety: Signs, Symptoms, and Support
Separation anxiety can turn everyday goodbyes into overwhelming challenges for children and families. At Counseling Corner, our experienced child therapists specialize in compassionate, evidence-based treatments—including CBT, play therapy, and family counseling—to help children build resilience and confidence during transitions. Whether anxiety has appeared suddenly or grown over time, we're here to help restore calm, courage, and connection. Serving Orlando and all of Florida in person and online since 1998.
A Guide to Preventing Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity is more than a weight issue—it’s an emotional, behavioral, and family-wide challenge. At The Counseling Corner, we empower parents with practical tools, expert strategies, and compassionate therapy to help children thrive physically and emotionally. From nutrition and movement to sleep, stress, and family routines, our guide supports real change—without shame. Whether your child struggles with emotional eating, low confidence, or unhealthy habits, our Orlando-based therapists are here to help your family grow stronger, together.
How to Help Your Child Feel Safe During Storms and Hurricanes
If your child feels scared, anxious, or overwhelmed during storms or hurricanes, you’re not alone. This article shares simple, calming ways to help your child feel safe, secure, and supported.
Storms can be frightening for children—and stressful for parents. Learn how to comfort your child, reduce anxiety, and create a sense of safety during hurricanes and severe weather.
Healing From Childhood and Teen Abuse: Support, Safety, and a Path Forward
Abuse leaves lasting emotional scars—but it doesn’t have to define the future. At Counseling Corner, we offer compassionate, trauma-informed therapy for children, teens, and adult survivors. Whether you're seeking healing for yourself or your child, our team in Orlando specializes in evidence-based approaches like TF-CBT, EMDR, and ART to support lasting recovery. From rebuilding trust to restoring safety, we help clients find peace, strength, and hope—one step at a time.
School Anxiety, Academic Struggles and School Refusal
When school becomes a source of panic, tears, or emotional shutdown, your child may be dealing with more than just nerves. At The Counseling Corner, we specialize in helping children and teens overcome school anxiety, refusal, learning struggles, peer challenges, and emotional overwhelm. Through play therapy, CBT, family support, and school collaboration, we help students rebuild confidence, regulate emotions, and reconnect with the joy of learning—because every child deserves to feel safe, capable, and connected in the classroom and beyond.
Adoptive Family Counseling: Support, Identity, and Hope
Adoption is a beautiful journey—but it comes with questions, emotions, and unique challenges. At The Counseling Corner, our adoption-competent therapists help children, teens, and parents navigate identity, attachment, grief, and connection. Whether you're wondering how to talk about adoption, supporting a child with trauma, or facing emotional struggles in the teen years, we offer compassionate, research-based counseling to help your family grow with confidence and clarity. You're not alone—we're here every step of the way.
Fighting: From Aggression to Peace
Aggression, violence, and emotional outbursts aren’t just “bad behavior”—they’re signals of deeper emotional struggles. At The Counseling Corner, we help children, teens, and young adults uncover what’s underneath the anger, learn emotional regulation, and build trust and peace at home and beyond.
Children and Teen Stealing: Counseling and Parental Support
When a child or teen steals, it’s easy to panic—but the truth is, this behavior often signals an unmet emotional need, not a character flaw. Learn why kids steal, how to respond with compassion and clarity, and when to seek professional help. Our Orlando-based therapists are here to support you with expert insight and family-centered care.
Problems At School and Resistance
School and Work Problems: Navigating Challenges, Unlocking Potential
Struggling with focus, anxiety, or burnout at school or work? You’re not alone—and help is here. At Counseling Corner, we support children, teens, and adults facing learning challenges, ADHD, school refusal, procrastination, impostor syndrome, and workplace stress. Whether it’s a child avoiding school, a teen drowning in academic pressure, or an adult battling burnout, we offer targeted counseling that helps individuals regain clarity, motivation, and emotional resilience. Serving Orlando and Central Florida with in-person and virtual sessions, we help families and professionals break through obstacles and thrive.
Chronic Medical Illness and Children
When a child is diagnosed with a chronic illness, it impacts more than just their physical health—it affects their confidence, friendships, school life, and emotional wellbeing. At The Counseling Corner, our licensed therapists provide compassionate therapy and coaching to help children, teens, and families build resilience, reduce stress, and find healing—emotionally and mentally. Whether your child is struggling with isolation, fear of treatment, or anxiety about the future, we’re here to walk with you every step of the way.
Self-Injury Help for Parents
Self-injury—often misunderstood and hidden—affects teens and adults alike. This compassionate guide from Counseling Corner explores why people self-harm, how to recognize the signs, and what evidence-based treatments help promote healing. With insights for families, practical tools, and therapy options like DBT and somatic experiencing, this article lights a path toward hope and recovery
How Substance Abuse Affects Families (And What You Can Do to Help)
If someone in your family is struggling with alcohol or substance use, you’re not alone. This article explains how addiction affects families and what you can do to support change, set boundaries, and find help.
Substance abuse doesn’t just affect one person—it impacts the entire family. Learn how to recognize the signs, support your loved one, and take steps toward healing together.
Parenting a Child with an Eating Disorder
Learn about eating disorders, effective treatments, and how The Counseling Corner supports individuals and families on the journey to healing. Serving Orlando and beyond with online and in-person care.