Anxiety and fears
Your child is tense, worries a lot, is afraid to stay alone or to fall asleep.
Play sessions for children · Haarlem
Children don't always have the words. That's what play is for.
I offer play sessions for children aged 3–12, based on child-centered play therapy. In play, a child expresses and gradually works through what troubles them — at their own pace, alongside an accepting adult. Sessions are in Russian.
- ages 3–12
- sessions in Russian
- Haarlem · near Amsterdam
When it helps
What families usually come with
A child doesn't need a diagnosis to come. Parents usually reach out when they notice something like this:
Big life changes
Moving countries, a new language, a new school, parents separating, a new sibling.
Anger and defiance
Frequent outbursts, arguing about everything, 'not hearing' adults — or keeping it all inside.
Hard goodbyes
Letting go of mum or dad is a struggle — at daycare, at school, at bedtime.
Feelings without words
You can tell something is weighing on them, but every question gets an 'I'm fine' — and the conversation goes nowhere.
Sleep and the body
Poor sleep, nail biting, tummy aches with no medical cause, slipping back into younger behaviour.
And sometimes nothing alarming is happening at all — parents simply want to understand their child better and support them. That's a good reason to come, too.
«Birds fly, fish swim, and children play.»
The method
Child-centered play therapy
Adults talk things through to make sense of them. Children play instead: in play they show what they don't yet have words for — and learn to cope with it there, too.
Child-centered play therapy (CCPT) is a method with sixty years of history and one of the strongest evidence bases in work with children. The idea is simple: a child gets a specially prepared room, an hour of free play, and an adult who doesn't judge, correct or rush — but stays attentively present.
Held in that kind of acceptance, a child gradually stops fighting their own feelings. From the outside it looks simple: they become calmer, freer and more confident — at home, at school, with friends.
To be honest: play sessions are not a medical service and not a magic pill. It's a regular process that respects the child's pace.
How it works
From the first call to real change
Intro call with parents
The first meeting is without the child. You tell me what worries you; I explain how the work is set up. We decide together whether this format fits your family.
First play session
Your child gets to know the room and me. They settle in at their own pace — there's nothing to 'do' and no right answers.
Regular sessions
Usually once a week, 45 minutes, one on one. A fixed day and time — predictability itself is part of what works.
Parent meetings
Roughly every 4–5 sessions we discuss how things are moving and what would support your child at home — while respecting the child's private space.
Review and finish
Together we look at what has changed and decide how to go on. Ending well is part of the process too — we prepare for it in advance.
- Ages
- 3–12
- Session language
- Russian
- Location
- Haarlem
About me
Hello, I'm Daria
I am a child play specialist: I run play sessions based on child-centered play therapy.
I believe children don't need to be 'fixed'. My job is to be a steady, accepting adult it is safe to be anything with: angry, scared, loud or very quiet. That safety is where change grows from.
I work with children aged 3–12, in Russian. My practice is in Haarlem — 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam.
Training and practice
- Training in child-centered play therapy
- Background in psychology
- Regular supervision and continuing education
The certificate will appear here soon — happy to share my training documents on request.
The playroom
A space where everything can be expressed
The playroom is not set up like an ordinary children's room. The materials are chosen so any experience can find its way out: real-life toys, a sand tray with miniatures, paints, costumes, materials for big feelings.
Everything always stays in its place. For a child that is part of feeling safe: the room waits for them and doesn't change behind their back.
The photos convey the atmosphere of the method; the actual room may look a little different.
Fees
Formats and conditions
Intro call with parents
A conversation about your situation and how the work is set up. No commitment.
Play session
An individual session with your child in the playroom, usually once a week.
Parent meeting
A conversation about progress and what would support your child at home.
- Cancellation
- Please reschedule or cancel at least 24 hours ahead; later cancellations are charged.
- Payment
- By bank transfer, invoiced. Details at the intro call.
- Address
- The practice is in Haarlem; the exact address is shared after booking.
FAQ
Parents often ask
From what age is this suitable?
Usually from 3 to 12 — at this age play is how children process experience. If your child is younger or older, write to me and we will discuss what would fit.
My child can't talk about feelings. Is that a problem?
Quite the opposite — that's the situation this method was made for. A child doesn't have to explain anything: they express their experience in play, and reading that language is my job.
Are parents present during sessions?
Play sessions are one on one — it is easier for a child to open up that way. You stay part of the process: there are separate parent meetings and regular feedback. With the youngest children a gentle settling-in period is possible.
How many sessions will we need?
It varies. Most often the first changes show after a few weeks, and lasting results build over 12–20 sessions. We review regularly whether it makes sense to continue.
What if my child doesn't want to 'do lessons'?
There are no lessons, tasks or grades here — just a room where you can play the way you want. Most children come to like it quickly. Wariness at the start is normal, and it's something we can work with.
Will you tell me what my child did in the session?
I share the overall themes and how things are moving, without retelling the play in detail — that's how a child keeps trusting their space. The only exception is a risk to the child's safety or someone else's.
Is this psychotherapy? Do we need a referral?
No referral is needed. Play sessions are not a medical service and don't replace a doctor or a psychotherapist. If your child needs a different kind of help, I will say so directly and point you in the right direction.
We don't live in Haarlem. Is it worth the trip?
Families come from Amsterdam and other towns in North Holland — from Amsterdam the trip takes about 20 minutes. Regularity matters more than distance: if once a week is doable, it will work.
Booking
Let's start with a conversation
The first meeting is a call for parents, without the child. You tell me what worries you; I explain how the work is set up. No commitment.
Online booking is coming soon
While the calendar is being set up, drop me a line — I will reply and suggest a time.
Contact details will appear here shortly.