Gabi Rookard, LCSW
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-Certified Autplay Provider
-Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Provider
Gabi works with:
Children ages 3-10
Teens struggling with anxiety and/or traumatic stress
Complex trauma
Nervous system dysregulation
Parent-child attachment issues
Separation anxiety
Aggressive behavior
Regressive behavior
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Currently Accepting New Clients
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Initial Intake (60 minutes) 200
Play Therapy (50 Minutes) 180
Parent Consultations (30 minutes) 100
Let’s Connect
When you’re working with me, we will focus on…
Nervous system regulation: We will work on helping you and your child to better understand your own nervous system states and how this influences behavior. We will explore the notion that “All behavior is an attempt at regulation” – Lisa Dion.
Co-regulation: We will help you connect with yourself in order to better connect with your child.
Attachment: We will work on building secure attachment between you and your child so that your child develops an internal sense of safety.
Interoception: Interoception is “the eighth sense” in which we sense what is happening on the inside (feelings, sensations, emotions). We will work on noticing what’s going on inside so we can then explore it and regulate it.
Authentic parenting: My goal is to help you develop a parenting style that feels most authentic to you and your values.
About Me
Gabi is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (lic#L11650) who specializes in using Synergetic Play Therapy® in her work with children, teens, and parents. In her free time, Gabi enjoys spending time outside whether hiking, camping, or backpacking. Gabi loves to express herself creatively through drawing. Gabi also loves to travel whenever she gets the opportunity!
Interventions and Specialized Training
Gabi’s primary framework is Synergetic Play Therapy, which “honors both the therapeutic powers of play, the science that governs relationship, and the development of the therapist, recognizing that it is ultimately the interplay between these three systems that support deep transformation for both therapist and child.” Gabi also pulls from play therapy modalities including Child-Centered Play Therapy, Theraplay, and Sand Tray in her work with children and families. Gabi may work with your child in 1:1 play therapy session, or she may involve you in the play therapy sessions depending on the needs of your child and family. Gabi is also a Certified Autplay Therapy Provider.
Play Therapy With Gabi is…
grounded in relationship and nervous system regulation. Gabi’s goal is to help you and your child develop your ability to connect to your authentic selves even in the midst of challenges. Gabi has a warm and genuine presence and brings playfulness, authenticity, and empowerment into her work with children, teens, and families.
Education and Professional Training
-Certified Synergetic Play Therapist
-Certified Autplay Therapist
Portland State University – Master’s in Social Work
Point Loma Nazarene University – Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
2.5 years working in community mental health, including school-based therapy
2 years working with immigrant youth at a residential facility
Experience working as an assistant preschool teacher, nanny, English teacher, and after school program staff
Trainings in Child-centered Play Therapy, Theraplay, Sand Tray, and Collaborative Problem Solving
What is Play Therapy?
Check out the link below to learn more about play therapy and find resources for parents like you.
Why Play Therapy?
Check out the Association for Play Therapy’s fun illustration of why we use Play Therapy rather than Talk Therapy with children!
Play is the child’s natural form for self-expression (see Garry Landreth’s work). As adults, we may see a therapist to talk through our difficulties. It’s often hard for us grownups to put our feelings into words, and it’s even more difficult for children!
“Toys are children’s words and play is their language.”
-Garry Landreth