About
My philosophy, approach, and who I am as a counsellor.
My Philosophy
Children are not small adults. They experience the world differently — through sensation, imagination, movement, and play. When a child is struggling, asking them to "use their words" is often asking them to speak in a language they haven't fully learned yet. Play is their first language. It's how they make sense of their world, process difficult emotions, and practice being brave.
My approach is rooted in the belief that every child has an innate capacity for growth and healing when given the right environment. We don't "fix" children — we create the conditions where they can do the work themselves, at their own pace, with a trusted adult who believes in them completely. My therapeutic approach is based in attachment theory, polyvagal theory, and interpersonal neurobiology.
What I Believe About Play Therapy
Play is the work
When a child builds a sand tray world, learns a board game, or paints a picture, they are doing important psychological work. Not only does play allow a child to explore their world, understand boundaries, and learn social rules, but play also allows children to symbolically represent experiences that are too big, too scary, or too confusing to talk about directly. When the play is supported by a trusted adult, they can rewrite endings, practice new roles, and safely confront fears.
The relationship is the therapy
The single most important factor in successful therapy is the relationship between the client and the therapist. For children, this means someone who accepts them unconditionally, is authentic, and consistently shows up. The toys and techniques matter, but the relationship is where healing happens.
Children are resilient
Given the right support, children are remarkably capable of working through challenges. Play therapy doesn't just address problems — it builds the emotional toolkit children carry with them for life: secure attachment to self, self-awareness, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and self-confidence.
Families belong in the process
A child does not exist in isolation. Parents, caregivers, and family dynamics are essential context. We work collaboratively with families — providing insights, strategies, and support so the progress made in the playroom extends into the home.
Who Am I?
My name is Colleen Bayly and I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #23958) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors. I hold a Masters Degree in Counselling and am a Certified Synergetic Play Therapist (SPT), a member of the British Columbia Play Therapy Association, and hold a Canadian Certificate in Perinatal Mental Health (CC-PMH).
My journey into play therapy began after attending a workshop by Dr. Gordon Neufeld of the Neufeld Institute. His lecture on how kids grow up made me realize the importance of play. As a parent of four kids, including two neurodivergent children, I relied on a household built upon routine and structure - doing our best to make things predictable. Free play was built into our day as best we could, but I had underestimated the importance — nay the necessity — of it. Since then, I have been on a mission to promote the power of play, both for normal brain development and as a path for healing in children.
I regularly pursue continuing education to deepen my practice and stay current with the latest research in child development and play therapy.
Areas I am currently studying are:
- ADHD Clinical Services Provider
- Primitive Reflexes
My Approach in the Playroom
Sessions typically run 50 minutes. The playroom is stocked with a carefully selected range of toys and materials — from art supplies and sandtray figures to puppets, building toys, and dramatic play items. Your child chooses what to play with and how. Most of the time, I follow their lead, reflecting and supporting their process. At other times, I will gently direct the play towards a target task to work on certain skills or reveal troubled areas they might be experiencing.
Over time, this creates a powerful therapeutic space where children can express what's going on inside them, work through life's challenges, and develop new ways of being - growing and developing themseleves in a world of play.
Let's Talk
If you're wondering whether play therapy might be right for your child, I am happy to talk with you. Reaching out is the first step, and should always be the easiest.