Joy Cannon (she/her)

My framework is Solution-Focused Play Therapy with children or Solution-Focused Therapy. We focus on exceptions to problems & encourage doing more of what works. We scale progress towards observable goals of the client's preferred future. Kids usually finish play therapy using more words to describe their feelings. Parents feel more confident with specific communication skills. You worry less & know more. You can "be with" not battle. Therapy moves from surface problems to heart issues, trying hard to accepting, isolation to interdependence, body's wisdom to mind and back. As a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas, I'm highly qualified for the strengths-based therapy I practice with respect for emerging interpersonal neurobiology. With a focus on advanced Child-Centered Play Therapy in grad school, I later received my Registered Play Therapist credential. Now I present at conferences about the range of expressive arts in counseling.

I facilitate change & encourage caregivers, but don't fix people. Your child can feel empowered to solve their own problems, experience dynamic emotions, challenge beliefs, heal from trauma, and change. Behavior is communication. Kids who feel good, do good. I show up fully for my clients, but trust them to choose goals and do the work. It's my honor to be a witness so I'll admit that clients teach me too. Creativity through expressive arts helps people approach the most uncomfortable topics and feelings. And groups of people with similar struggles teach us to receive support and accept ourselves as good enough. I'm passionate about providing group therapy to meet the increasing mental health needs I see. Beginning August 2022, I will serve on the board of the Texas Association for Play Therapy's Hill Country Chapter as President Elect.