Activity Therapy in Denton County
Rated 5/5 Stars
For the kid who has aged out of the play room but is not about to sit and talk about their feelings.
Licensed and supervised counselors
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In-network with most major insurances
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Lower-cost options available
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Rated 5/5 Stars
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Licensed and supervised counselors ✳︎ In-network with most major insurances ✳︎ Lower-cost options available ✳︎ Rated 5/5 Stars ✳︎
Getting Started in Three Easy Steps
1 - Reach out
Fill out the contact form; you do not need to explain everything, just enough for us to reach out and to point you in the right direction.
2 - Get matched
Our office administrator will pair you with the counselor whose specialty and availability fit what you need. If you already know who you want to see, let us know.
3 - Get Started!
Your first session is a conversation, not an interrogation. You will talk about what brought you in and the goals you want to achieve.
What is Activity Therapy?
Activity therapy makes the work of talk therapy more engaging for older children and teens by allowing them to do something fun while talking. It brings purposeful, hands-on activities into the session to support emotional expression, self-awareness, and skill building.
Sessions are built around movement, creative tasks, games, or structured exercises that engage both mind and body. Doing something alongside another person takes the pressure off the eye contact and the direct questions, which is exactly what makes a guarded kid go quiet. The activity is not a bribe or a warm-up. It is how the work happens.
Our counselors tailor each session to your child’s interests. We have cards, board games, basketball hoops, art supplies, and much more to catch their interest, help them feel comfortable, and make them want to keep coming back.
Sessions are 50 to 55 minutes. We start with weekly sessions and can step down to every other week as your child makes progress. Parents are kept in the loop with parent consults scheduled as needed. We cannot share every detail about what is said, but we will make sure you know the important parts. If there are ever any safety concerns, you will know the same day.
We use activity therapy for trauma, anxiety, school and academic pressure, emotional regulation, self-harm, self-esteem, setting boundaries, life transitions, stress, and depression. It is especially helpful for kids who find it difficult to express themselves through words alone.
Is Activity Therapy Right For Your Child?
Your child is too old for play therapy and not ready for sitting and talking
Every question gets a shrug or a “nothing”
They open up in the car, or while shooting baskets, but never face to face
Words are not how they process things
They have decided therapy is not for them before trying it
About Us and What Others are Saying
Hi, I’m Ashley! I am the owner of Grateful Heart Counseling and we are here to help your family navigate through life's many challenges.
Whether it's anxiety creeping in, low self-esteem holding you back, or difficult changes happening around you, we can help you gain the skills and self confidence to overcome these obstacles.
Our counselors are trained in multiple evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and for younger kids- the transformative power of Play Therapy. Together, we can start your journey towards healing and growth.
“Ashley has helped equip me with tools for parenting my son who went through a major change in his life. She listened, took time to give me materials, and helped me feel supported as the parent. I would recommend her for parents who have a child needing emotional support!”
“Grateful heart counseling is an excellent resource in the Justin area! Ashley and her team have taken a special interest in the play therapy population and know their stuff! This team does a great job equipping their clients with the tools that they need to succeed!”
“Ms. Smith has supported both myself and my kiddos through so many situations. She is enthusiastic to share ideas for solving everyday challenges as well as an expert in grief counseling, self-help, and executive functioning skills. I would give her 100/100 if that amount of stars was an option!”
Our Locations That Offer Activity Therapy
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Justin Location
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Denton Location
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 24 hours a day.
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Sessions are 50 to 55 minutes. We start weekly and can step down to every other week as your child makes progress.
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There is no fixed number. Sessions are 50 to 55 minutes. We start with weekly sessions and can step down to every other week as your child makes progress.
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We try to get your first appointment scheduled within a week from when you call. Some of our Therapists offer appointments in the early morning, evenings, or on Saturdays to try to accommodate your schedule.
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Mostly getting to know your child, with something to do while they talk. Their counselor will ask what you are seeing at home and at school, and will pick an activity around your child’s interests so the first visit feels easy rather than like an interview.
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Your child does not have to be in crisis to benefit. If you are concerned enough to be reading this page, then you are probably ready to get some extra support for your kid.
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We are in-network with several major insurance panels. Lower-cost sessions are available with our associate counselors.
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Yes. Activity therapy is in person at both offices, since the activities are part of how the work happens. Virtual sessions are available for adults anywhere in Texas.
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No. The activity is chosen on purpose and the counselor is working the whole time. Kids who would shut down under direct questioning will say a great deal while their hands are busy.
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Play therapy is for younger children and uses symbolic play. Activity therapy uses more age-appropriate, structured tasks. Your counselor will use whichever approach fits your child best.
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Kids of all ages can benefit from activity therapy. Our counselors weave these interventions into sessions with young kids all the way up to college age. Every counselor of ours who works with kids uses activity therapy when appropriate.
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Our role is to be a positive adult in your child’s life who encourages them to make the best decisions possible. We do not set out to keep secrets from parents, but it is important that your child knows they can say anything and trust us not to tattle. Our policy is that everything said in the room is confidential unless they share that someone has hurt them, or that they are thinking about hurting themselves or someone else. When your teen shares something we believe you should know, we work with them to talk with you, or to get permission for us to talk with you.