Hey Athlete: You’re Allowed to Love Your Sport and Feel Burnt Out

Hey Athlete You’re Allowed to Love Your Sport and Feel Burnt Out from a St. Louis area child therapist.

Let’s get real: being a young athlete can feel amazing…and also, kind of exhausting. You love your sport—or at least, you used to.You’ve got drive, discipline, and big goals.You’ve made friends, had cool wins, and grown stronger than you ever thought possible. And yet… You might also be: This blog is for you—the kid or … Read more

From the Sidelines to the Heart: How Parents Can Emotionally Support Young Athletes

Blog post cover with youth soccer team huddling with text "From the Sidelines to the Heart How Parents Can Emotionally Support Young Athletes" from a St. Louis area child therapist.

If you’re parenting a child or teen in competitive sports, you’ve probably already heard about the mental health challenges that can come with it—burnout, pressure, anxiety, and self-doubt. You might have nodded along, recognizing moments where your child seems a little more irritable, withdrawn, or overwhelmed than usual. But now you might be asking: “Okay, … Read more

Whine-Free Zone: Strategies for Dealing with Summer Complaints

Kids upside down playing with text "Whine-Free Zone Strategies for Dealing with Summer Complaints" from a St. Louis therapist for moms, families, children, and more.

Ever notice how the sound of whining can turn a sunny afternoon into a thunderstorm—no matter how many fun plans you’ve made? If you’re a parent, you know that summer break brings its own unique chorus of complaints: “I’m bored!” “It’s too hot!” “Why can’t I have more screen time?” The truth is, even the … Read more

The Summer Slide: Keeping Academic Skills Sharp Without the Stress

Kids in a group reading from the same book in the grass with text "The Summer Slide Keeping Academic Skills Sharp Without the Stress". Learn from a St. Louis area therapist for children and teens how to help support academics over the summer.

Did you know that kids can lose up to two months of reading skills over the summer if they don’t stay engaged? For many parents in communities like Ballwin, Chesterfield, and Kirkwood, there’s a familiar worry that creeps in as the school year fades: Will my child lose the academic progress they made this year? … Read more

Why Kids Who Are Homeschooled Might Need Therapy

Child with headphones on in front of a web based learning module with text "Why Kids Who Are Homeschooled Might Need Therapy" from a Ballwin, MO child therapist specializing in Play Therapy for St. Louis, MO children.

Homeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular choice for many families, offering flexibility, personalized learning, and a closer-knit family experience. However, just because a child isn’t attending a traditional school doesn’t mean they don’t face challenges that could benefit from child or play therapy. In fact, homeschooling can come with its own set of pressures that … Read more

How Therapy Can Align with Homeschooling and Support Both Parents and Kids

Two kids with small blocks in their hands. Text reads "How Therapy Can Align with Homeschooling and Support Both Parents and Kids" blog by Ballwin, MO play therapists for child therapy for homeschoolers and preschoolers.

When homeschooling a child, it’s not uncommon for parents to feel like they’re juggling a lot at once—balancing teaching responsibilities with caring for their child’s emotional and social needs. This can leave parents wondering, “Is therapy really necessary?” or “Will it create a gap between me and my child?” The truth is, therapy can actually … Read more

The Magic of Play: How Preschoolers Benefit from Play Therapy

Children playing together with text "The Magic of Play How Preschoolers Benefit from Play Therapy" STL Play therapist in Ballwin, MO helps understand play therapy for 3 year olds and more.

Temper tantrums, kicking, hitting, maybe even biting…expressions such as “I do it!”, “No!”, “I don’t want to!”  Sound familiar?  The preschool years are full of mysteries about what is going on in our kids’ heads.  Since language is still developing, communication can be challenging so we start to make assumptions about what is changing.  We … Read more

Parenting the Whole Child: Not Just the Behavior

Photos of various children and parents in different settings with text "Parenting the Whole Child Not Just the Behavior" from a child therapist and parent coach in Ballwin, MO.

We’ve all been there while parenting. That moment when your child’s behavior feels like it’s absolutely spiraling out of control. Whether it’s a tantrum, an attitude adjustment, or just a full-blown meltdown over something that seems pretty minor to you (like why is this such a big deal?!), it’s hard not to focus just on … Read more

How Do I Know if My Child Needs Play Therapy?

Photos of children playing with text "How Do I Know if My Child Needs Play Therapy" by a child and play therapist at Marble Wellness in Ballwin, MO.

As parents, we’re always looking for ways to support our children’s emotional well-being. If you’ve been considering therapy for your child, you’re on the right track. At Marble Wellness, we’ve seen firsthand how play therapy can be a game-changer for children struggling with emotional or behavioral challenges. Let’s dive into what play therapy is all … Read more